Rep. Ro Khanna says Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s possible run for president in 2028 will not influence his own decision, sharpening the divide among Democrats eyeing the next race for the White House.
California Democrat Ro Khanna made it clear during a CNN State of the Union appearance that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s potential White House bid would have “no bearing” on whether he throws his own hat in the ring for 2028.
Pressed on whether Ocasio-Cortez’s decision would change his plans, Khanna responded by praising his colleague but drew a sharp line around his own priorities. “Obviously, she’s extraordinary, but my vision is an economic vision,” he said. Khanna added that his ambitions center around “economic patriotism,” which he framed as “the greatest economic mission in generations to build a future economy that’s going to be working for people I grew up with: deindustrialized communities, the black South.”
Khanna pitched his plan as a contrast to the status quo, telling CNN that his focus is on broadening prosperity beyond tech hubs like Silicon Valley. “How do we bring economic success, not just in Silicon Valley, across this country? I understand tech. I’ve had the guts to stand up to them, and I have a road map of how we build that future economy everywhere,” he said.
Speculation over who will lead the Democratic Party in 2028 has been growing, especially as Ocasio-Cortez’s national profile rises. While Khanna insists her decision is not a factor for him, others have openly floated her name as a likely front-runner. Vice President JD Vance, for example, stated in June, “I believe the New York Democrat will be the Democratic front-runner in the next presidential election.”
Ocasio-Cortez herself has not ruled out a run for the presidency in 2028 but has stopped short of making any announcement. When asked recently on ABC’s This Week about her ambitions, she pointed to her immediate campaign. “I’m focused on winning the midterms. I’m running for Congress right now,” she said, but followed up: “I haven’t ruled out the possibility. And I’m very humbled to the tremendous amount of support out there.”
Her comments have fueled ongoing speculation about a possible bid, especially as some Democrats look for a new generation of candidates. The lack of a definitive answer keeps her name in the mix, but as Khanna’s remarks show, not every Democratic hopeful is waiting for her to make the first move.
Khanna’s pitch for 2028 is built around what he calls “economic patriotism.” He described it on CNN as a sweeping effort to rebuild prosperity in places left behind by globalization and the tech boom. “I have a vision called economic patriotism, which calls for having the greatest economic mission in generations to build a future economy that’s going to be working for people I grew up with: deindustrialized communities, the black South,” Khanna told CNN.
He argued that his experience in Silicon Valley gives him insight into how to bridge the gap between those communities and the innovation economy. “I understand tech. I’ve had the guts to stand up to them, and I have a road map of how we build that future economy everywhere,” he said.
This approach sets Khanna apart from the party’s progressive wing, signaling that he is likely to campaign on economic growth and opportunity rather than waiting for other candidates to clear the field.
With both Khanna and Ocasio-Cortez keeping the door open for 2028, the Democratic Party faces a looming contest between competing visions and personalities. Khanna’s blunt dismissal of Ocasio-Cortez’s impact on his own decision suggests that unity may be a long way off for a party often pulled in different directions by its left wing and more traditional factions.
The next two years will reveal whether Democrats can settle on a candidate with a clear message, or whether internal jockeying will leave the field divided. For now, Khanna’s message is simple: he’s not waiting to see what anyone else does.
If Democrats want to avoid another cycle of hand-wringing and infighting, they’ll need more than slogans, they’ll need a plan that speaks to working Americans outside the coastal echo chambers.
