Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has resumed her membership with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) after a seven-year lapse, amid growing speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. The New York congresswoman, who first joined the organization in 2018, renewed her national membership in August 2026, the DSA confirmed in a recent statement.
The organization disclosed Ocasio-Cortez’s current membership status following increasing public interest linked to discussions about her possible candidacy in the next presidential election cycle. The DSA noted that while it is unusual for the group to comment on individual memberships, the ongoing conversations about the 2028 campaign prompted the clarification. The statement also addressed the fact that Ocasio-Cortez initially held a one-year membership starting in 2018, which lapsed in 2019 before being renewed recently.
Ocasio-Cortez’s affiliation with the DSA had been under scrutiny after reports indicated she was not a national member for several years. When questioned in an interview earlier this month, she acknowledged her active membership was with the New York City chapter rather than the national organization. She described local DSA chapters as independent entities comparable to “local union chapters,” highlighting the distinction between local and national participation.
The DSA organization has seen significant growth across the United States in recent years, bolstered by a series of electoral successes from New York to Florida. This expansion, alongside mounting interest in Ocasio-Cortez’s political future, has intensified focus on her relationship with the group.
Historically, despite her lapsed national membership, the DSA publicly referenced Ocasio-Cortez as a member in various communications, including congratulatory messages after her 2020 re-election and praise for her legislative votes in 2024. The group acknowledged that, when she joined, annual dues were $60 with manual renewal processes, but this system has since evolved to include automatic renewals and tiered monthly payment options.
Ocasio-Cortez’s ties with the DSA have not been without tension. In July 2024, the national DSA withdrew its endorsement of her congressional campaigns, following a request from the New York City chapter. The withdrawal cited concerns over her support for a House resolution that identified denial of Israel’s right to exist as antisemitism, as well as her involvement in a panel addressing antisemitism. The DSA criticized the panel for conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism and condemning boycotts of Zionist institutions—a position the group said conflicted with its commitment to Palestinian solidarity and socialist activism.
The DSA emphasized that national endorsements require alignment with their movement’s broader goals, particularly a firm stance against capitalism and support for Palestine. The group characterized Ocasio-Cortez’s panel participation as a betrayal to activists opposing Israeli policies and described it as undermining the socialist project.
Ocasio-Cortez’s office has not commented further on the renewed membership or the disagreements with the DSA. The organization declined additional comment beyond the formal membership clarification.