Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could win Democratic primaries but would lose swing states in a 2028 presidential race, according to Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha.
Concha said Thursday on Fox Business that Ocasio-Cortez's opposition to fracking and offshore drilling would alienate Pennsylvania voters dependent on oil industry jobs. He also argued her support for naturalizing undocumented immigrants would hurt her in Arizona, where President Donald Trump won by nearly 6 points in 2024.
"These states are the only ones that determine the outcome of a general election," Concha said, drawing a comparison to Vice President Kamala Harris's struggles in swing states.
Ocasio-Cortez has not announced a 2028 campaign for either the Senate or the presidency. Concha acknowledged she has strong backing within Democratic Socialist circles for a primary run.
But centrist Democrats are shunning her, Concha said, and independent-minded swing state voters are skeptical that far-left candidates can deliver on their promises. Her policy positions, he argued, simply do not align with winning in the states that decide general elections.
