A recent AtlasIntel poll indicates that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) leads the field of potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates with 26% support. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg follows with 22.4%, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom trails closely at 21.2%. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the 2024 election, received 12.9% support. The poll, conducted May 4-7 among 2,069 U.S. adults, has a +/- 2% margin of error.
Ocasio-Cortez has not confirmed her candidacy but stated her ambition is to change the country rather than pursue political titles. Other polls, however, show Harris leading with 38% support, followed by Newsom at 16% and Ocasio-Cortez at 9%. A Harvard-Harris poll also placed Harris at 50%, with Newsom at 22% and Ocasio-Cortez at 9%.
On the Republican side, the same AtlasIntel poll shows Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) leading with 45.4% support, followed by Vice President JD Vance at 29.6% and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 11.2%. The poll also indicates a challenging midterm outlook for Republicans, with 54.6% of respondents favoring Democratic House candidates. President Donald Trump received low approval ratings, with 59.8% disapproving of his performance and 60% disapproving of his policies. The top concerns among respondents were inflation (48.6%), the economy (41.1%), and safeguarding democracy (38.3%).
Critics argue Ocasio-Cortez lacks the temperament for a general election, citing her responses to questions about U.S. policy on China and Taiwan. Supporters, however, highlight her progressive policies and national influence.