Ted Cruz

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz is looking well beyond the current political cycle, predicting major shake-ups within the Democratic Party ahead of the 2028 election.

In a video post on X Thursday, Cruz said he believes Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely known as AOC, will launch a presidential campaign, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will replace longtime Senator Chuck Schumer. Cruz framed the predictions as "bad for America," saying that some Republicans are cheering opponents who are "crazy."

He later added that "this country needs two parties that actually love America."

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In a separate post, Cruz said, "Chuck Schumer is finished. He can never again win a Democrat primary in New York. He knows it. Which is why I joke that he will be the inaugural member of the AOC for President Campaign."

Newsweek reached out to Mamdani, Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez's offices via email for additional comment.

What To Know

Cruz's comments come as speculation over the 2028 presidential race continues to grow, despite the election still being years away. While no major Democratic candidate has officially declared a campaign, Ocasio-Cortez has been asked about a potential White House run, fueling discussions about her political ambitions.

Her national profile, large social media following, and influence among progressive voters have made her one of the most closely watched figures in the party.

Mamdani, meanwhile, has become an increasingly prominent progressive voice in New York politics, leading to growing speculation about his long-term political future.

Recent Democratic primaries have also highlighted the growing influence of the party's progressive wing, with left-leaning candidates scoring several victories over more established figures. Those wins have fueled speculation that progressive leaders could play an even larger role in shaping the Democratic Party's direction heading into the 2028 election cycle.

The conversation also comes as new polling highlights an increasingly fluid picture for the 2028 race.

On the Republican side, recent surveys indicate Vice President JD Vance remains a leading contender, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has gained significant ground in recent polling, underscoring how quickly the political landscape could change as both parties look ahead.

No candidate has formally announced their candidacy.

What Polls Show

Wednesday's University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll shows that Ocasio-Cortez has 22 percent compared to former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's 21 percent. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly landed 9 percent, California Governor Gavin Newsom has 8 percent, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has 6 percent and former Vice President Kamala Harris has 5 percent. No other candidate obtained 5 percent or more in the poll.

The poll surveyed 648 likely 2028 Democratic presidential primary voters, with a margin of error of 3.8 percent, and 579

likely 2028 Republican presidential primary voters, with a margin of error of 4.1 percent, from July 15 to July 20.

When asked about leading in the poll on Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent, "I think there's two things, one is that, you know, polls are polls, and a horse race is a horse race. I am, of course, I think, very deeply humbled and grateful to, you know, folks who participate and convey that confidence."

"I think my main focus is really genuinely just the midterms right now, and we have to make sure that we win this majority," Ocasio-Cortez later added.

An Emerson survey released Thursday shows Buttigieg leading the Democratic primary field with 19 percent, while other prominent Democrats remained within striking distance.

Newsom received 17 percent, both Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez landed 13 percent, Harris has 8 percent, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has 7 percent, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has 5 percent, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker landed 3 percent. The poll shows that 13 percent are undecided.

“Ossoff was added to the Democratic ballot test this month, and entered at 13%, driven by stronger support among men, at 18%, compared to 8% among women,” Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in the survey. “Newsom is strongest among women at 25%, compared to 8% of men. Similarly, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s support is higher among women, at 16%, compared to 9% of men. Buttigieg, on the other hand, has equal support among both men and women at 19%.”

The poll was conducted from July 19 to July 20 among 1,100 likely voters, and has a credibility interval of 2.9 percent.