New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Wednesday she’s skeptical of an early poll showing her narrowly ahead of Vice President JD Vance in a hypothetical 2028 presidential contest — before adding, with a laugh, that she “will stomp him” if they ever went head-to-head.
The publication reached out to the White House for comment by email after office hours.
Why It Matters
Neither Ocasio-Cortez nor Vance has announced a presidential bid. Still, both are frequently mentioned as potential standard-bearers for their parties in 2028.
A slight edge for Ocasio-Cortez in a general-election matchup — even this far out — hints at a competitive landscape where neither party can assume a built-in advantage. It also suggests progressive Democrats could remain nationally viable going into the next cycle.
What to Know
A survey from The Argument/Verasight, released Tuesday, put Ocasio-Cortez at 51 percent and Vance at 49 percent among registered voters asked how they would vote in a matchup between the two.
Because the result falls within the poll’s margin of error, the race is effectively a statistical tie.
When asked about the poll and whether she could beat Vance, Ocasio-Cortez brushed off its predictive value given how early it is.
“You know, these polls three years out…they are what they are,” she said, shrugging. Then, laughing, she added: “But let the record show, I will stomp him.”
The poll found notable demographic divides:
- White voters: 57 percent for Vance, 43 percent for Ocasio-Cortez
- Black voters: 79 percent for Ocasio-Cortez
- Hispanic voters: 64 percent for Ocasio-Cortez
It also showed a gender split, with 54 percent of men backing Vance and 56 percent of women backing Ocasio-Cortez.
The survey polled 1,521 registered voters from December 5–11 and reported a margin of error of 2.7 percentage points.
Other recent hypotheticals paint a more complicated picture for Ocasio-Cortez inside her own party. In Democratic primary-style polling, she has trailed better-known figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, suggesting she is not currently the leading contender in a crowded field.
In another recent scenario testing a three-way matchup among California Governor Gavin Newsom, Vance and Ocasio-Cortez, Newsom led with 36 percent, while Vance and Ocasio-Cortez were tied at 34 percent apiece.
What People Are Saying
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News’ Sean Hannity earlier this month: “I would say that I’ve thought about what that moment might look like after the midterm elections. But I also…try to put it out of my head and remind myself the American people elected me to do a job right now, and my job is to do it.”
What Happens Next
With 2028 still years away, potential contenders are widely expected to hold off on any official announcements until after the 2026 midterm elections.
