Sen. Ted Cruz is already looking ahead to the 2028 election cycle, predicting that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will seek the presidency while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will ultimately replace Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Cruz argued that such a political realignment would signal a troubling direction for the Democratic Party, Newsweek reports.

In a video posted Thursday on X, the Texas Republican said he expects Ocasio-Cortez to launch a White House campaign and forecast that Mamdani will eventually succeed Schumer in the Senate. Cruz said some Republicans mistakenly celebrate what they view as increasingly left-wing Democratic candidates, but warned against taking that approach, describing his predictions as “bad for America.”

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

In a separate post on social media, Cruz predicted that Schumer’s political future in New York has effectively come to an end.

“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 said it contacted the offices of Mamdani, Schumer, and Ocasio-Cortez by email seeking comment.

Cruz’s remarks come as speculation surrounding the 2028 presidential race continues to intensify, even though no major Democratic contender has formally entered the race. Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly been asked about a possible presidential campaign, fueling ongoing discussion about whether she could seek the nation’s highest office.

Her high national profile, enormous social media presence, and popularity among progressive Democrats have made her one of the party’s most closely watched political figures.

At the same time, Mamdani has emerged as one of New York’s leading progressive voices, prompting increasing speculation that he could pursue higher office in the years ahead.

Recent Democratic primary elections have underscored the growing strength of the party’s progressive wing, with several left-leaning candidates defeating more established rivals. Those victories have led many political observers to speculate that progressives could wield even greater influence over the Democratic Party heading into 2028.

The discussion also coincides with new polling that suggests the race for both parties’ nominations remains wide open.

Among Republicans, recent surveys continue to show Vice President JD Vance as one of the leading potential contenders, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio has narrowed the gap in newer polling, illustrating how fluid the political landscape remains.

No candidate from either party has officially announced a 2028 presidential campaign.

A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll released Wednesday found Ocasio-Cortez leading the Democratic field with 22%, narrowly ahead of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 21%. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly received 9%, California Gov. Gavin Newsom garnered 8%, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders drew 6%, and former Vice President Kamala Harris received 5%. No other prospective candidate reached the 5% mark.

The survey questioned 648 likely Democratic presidential primary voters between July 15 and July 20 and carried a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points. It also surveyed 579 likely Republican primary voters during the same period, with a margin of error of 4.1 percentage points.

Asked about leading the poll, Ocasio-Cortez downplayed the results.

“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.”

She emphasized that her immediate political focus lies elsewhere.

“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.

A separate Emerson College poll released Thursday showed Buttigieg narrowly leading the Democratic field with 19%, while several other candidates remained close behind.

That survey found Newsom at 17%, with both Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff and Ocasio-Cortez receiving 13%. Harris polled at 8%, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear at 7%, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 5%, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at 3%. Another 13% of respondents said they remained undecided.

Explaining some of the demographic trends in the Emerson survey, Executive Director Spencer Kimball said, “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 Emerson survey was conducted July 19-20 among 1,100 likely voters and reported a credibility interval of 2.9 percentage points.

{Matzav.com}