AOC Sparks 2028 Rumors After Not Pursuing Key Spot on House Committee

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) choice not to pursue the top Democratic spot on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has sparked speculation about a possible 2028 presidential run.

This move clears the way for a contest between veteran politicians like Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and younger members eager to shape the party’s future.

Lynch, who has served as the interim ranking member following the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), expressed interest in securing the role permanently.

However, his path faces competition from ambitious younger lawmakers, some of whom had been ready to defer if Ocasio-Cortez entered the race.

Ocasio-Cortez, who moved to the Energy and Commerce Committee after unsuccessfully challenging Connolly, confirmed last month she would not try again. She cited the party’s seniority tradition as a key obstacle to her winning the Oversight leadership role.

Her withdrawal has reshaped committee dynamics and intensified behind-the-scenes discussions about the panel’s leadership and the Democratic caucus’s direction on policy and messaging.

Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez is also dealing with a separate controversy related to her 2021 Met Gala appearance, per the Conservative Brief.

The House Ethics Committee found she accepted gifts valued at over $3,700 for the event, including a “Tax The Rich” dress, but paid less than $1,000 for the items.

This violated House rules on gifts, as members are generally barred from accepting gifts unless under specific exceptions, such as tickets to charity events from the hosting organization. In this case, Vogue editor Anna Wintour invited Ocasio-Cortez and her boyfriend as Vogue guests, not the museum hosting the gala.

The committee found that Ocasio-Cortez delayed repayment of the rental costs for the dress, shoes, jewelry, handbag, and hairpiece. Some vendors were paid only after repeated collection efforts, and one hairstylist threatened legal action over an unpaid $477 bill.

Although the committee did not find evidence of intentional wrongdoing, it criticized her former staff for mismanaging payments.

Ocasio-Cortez must repay the remaining $2,733.28 to the designer and donate $250 to cover her boyfriend’s dinner at the gala to close the matter. The Ethics Committee decided no further sanctions are necessary.

Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff, Mike Casca, stated the congresswoman “appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts to ensure her compliance with House Rules and sought to act consistently with her ethical requirements.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to step back from the Oversight leadership race, combined with the Met Gala ethics issue, has shifted focus on her political future amid ongoing speculation she could run for president in 2028.

With a new generation of Democrats vying for leadership roles, the party’s direction over the next several years remains uncertain.

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