AOC to stump in upstate NY for Democrats ahead of midterms

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Sep 18, 2026

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NEW YORK — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has donated $300,000 to New York State Democrats and plans to campaign for Democrats in upstate New York ahead of the coming congressional midterm elections.

The progressive NYC congresswoman says she will make forays to places like Syracuse, Utica and Buffalo to help Democrats mobilize young voters and people of color in communities far from her political home turf in the city.

“New York (state) has become increasingly relevant to whether we have a majority or not in the House of Representatives,” AOC told the New York Times in an interview published Friday. “I’m more than happy to go wherever I’m needed.”

The $300,000 donation is not a large amount, but it shows Ocasio-Cortez wants to burnish her relationship with Gov. Kathy Hochul, who controls the fund it is going to, and put some past disputes with the state party behind her.

Hochul is leading her race for reelection and has moved to the left and sought to build common ground with progressives including AOC and newly minted NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

AOC may also be seeking to show she has broader appeal than most pundits believe.

“This is actually about transforming the way Democrats go about building a coalition,” she added.

The lawmaker insists that the foray into far-flung areas north of the city line shouldn’t be seen as a clue to her future political plans, like perhaps that she might be eyeing a run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. Chuck Schumer in 2028 instead of a possible presidential run.

She admits considering a run for higher office but says conversations about that decision will only start after the midterms in November.

Democratic strategist Adam Carlson says he believes that AOC has honestly not decided on her future plans and the announcement shows she wants to keep her name in the mix for different races.

“It keeps her options open (and buys her goodwill, especially outside of NYC) regardless of what she decides (president or Senate) for 2028,” Carlson told the News.

AOC has previously campaigned with Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat who represents a Hudson Valley district. First-term Rep. Josh Riley, D-New York, is also favored to win reelection in his Catskills-based swing district.

Democrats also believe they might have an outside chance at flipping the North Country seat held by Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is stepping down, but it’s not clear if AOC might be helpful to Democratic candidate Blake Gendebien.

Not all New York Democrats may want to appear with Ocasio-Cortez. Long Island Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Laura Gillen have both distanced themself from democratic socialists like AOC and Mamdani.

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