New York Democratic Socialists urge Ocasio-Cortez to run for US president

The resolution passed 291 to 123 at the chapter’s convention on Saturday. While it is not a formal endorsement by the DSA, it commits the New York City chapter to encouraging a presidential bid and building the groundwork for a potential campaign. “If the US can elect Trump, I think we can elect Democratic Socialists,” Gustavo Gordillo, NYC-DSA co-chair, told Al Jazeera, referring to President Donald Trump.

The convention was held following a strong showing by DSA-endorsed candidates in the midterm elections. A record eight DSA-endorsed candidates were elected to federal office and will hold congressional seats in January. Ocasio-Cortez, popularly known as AOC, is a longtime member of NYC-DSA, the chapter covering her home city.

The New York City branch, which has about 15,000 members, has become one of the movement’s most influential. It endorsed Mayor Zohran Mamdani last year and has backed Ocasio-Cortez in all five of her congressional general elections since 2018.