Full Breakdown
AOC Leads New Hampshire 2028 Democratic Primary Poll
7/24/2026, 2:27:50 AM
AOC Tops New Hampshire 2028 Democratic Primary Poll
A University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll released this week placed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in first place among prospective Democratic presidential candidates for the 2028 election. The survey showed 22 percent of likely Democratic primary voters favoring Ocasio-Cortez, edging her ahead of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who received 21 percent.
Poll Details and Candidate Rankings
The poll’s top five Democratic contenders were:
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – 22 percent
- Pete Buttigieg – 21 percent
- Senator Mark Kelly (Arizona) – 9 percent
- Governor Gavin Newsom (California) – 8 percent
- Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) – 6 percent
Former Vice President Kamala Harris trailed at 5 percent. The same poll indicated that Ocasio-Cortez’s support had risen seven points since a February survey, while Buttigieg, Harris and Newsom each lost ground.
AOC’s Response
When asked whether she would pursue the nomination, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that her immediate priority is the 2024 House elections. She added that she has not seriously weighed options beyond the midterms.
Political Context and Potential Implications
Although New Hampshire no longer holds the first binding Democratic primary, the state remains a key early-voter barometer. The Democratic National Committee’s recent shift to make South Carolina the first binding primary in 2024 has altered the early-state calendar, but New Hampshire’s Granite State Poll continues to attract national attention. Analysts note that Ocasio-Cortez’s surge could influence both the presidential field and speculation about a possible 2028 Senate bid against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Her endorsements of progressive candidates in recent congressional and Senate races suggest a broader strategy of building a left-leaning coalition ahead of the next election cycle.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have genuinely not really weighed seriously anything past the midterm elections,” — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- “You're gonna have to ask a voter about that,” — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
