WATCH: AOC won't rule out Senate bid after New York progressives notch primary wins: 'Inspired and encouraged'
Chuck Schumer WATCH: AOC won't rule out Senate bid after New York progressives notch primary wins: 'Inspired and encouraged'
The 4-term congresswoman said she wouldn't be 'breaking any news' but praised Mamdani-aligned candidates
By
Hannah Brennan Fox News
Published
June 25, 2026 3:42pm EDT close 
Video AOC leaves door open on Senate bid question after New York socialist primary victories
Ocasio-Cortez sidestepped questions about a future Senate campaign after Tuesday's primary victories by fellow progressives, saying she's "inspired and encouraged" by the results. (Credit: Nicholas Ballasy for Fox News Digital)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., declined to rule out a future Senate campaign after a trio of far-left candidates won New York's primary elections Tuesday, saying the results left her "inspired and encouraged."
"I’m sorry I'm not going to be breaking any news here as I consider what's going to happen in the future," Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News Digital when asked whether the election results made her more inclined to run for Senate.
"But I’m definitely inspired and encouraged by all the new faces that we're going to be sending to the states and to Congress next year," she continued.
AOC CRUISES TO PRIMARY VICTORY AS SPECULATION SWIRLS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez waves to the crowd ahead of Zohran Mamdani's inauguration as the 112th mayor at City Hall in New York City on Jan. 1, 2026. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
The four-term "Squad" member crushed her two Democratic primary challengers running to unseat her in New York’s 14th Congressional District. Coupled with the victories by three fellow progressives in her state, the results fueled speculation that Ocasio-Cortez could potentially mount a successful primary race against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Ocasio-Cortez’s comments come after broader speculations have continued to swirl around the possibilities of her political future. The progressive New York Democrat has also refused to rule out a 2028 presidential run, telling Fox News Digital "maybe, maybe not" on whether her running for president was in consideration.
The victories by candidates backed by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over more moderate Democrats also fueled debate over whether the progressive wing is becoming a national blueprint for the Democratic Party.
WATCH: AOC LEAVES DOOR OPEN TO 2028 WHITE HOUSE BID: 'MAYBE, MAYBE NOT'
Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, during a news conference on 2026 FIFA World Cup transportation at the MTA Rail Control Center in New York, on Thursday, June 4, 2026. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Asked whether the wins by candidates critical of Israel represented a blueprint for Democrats nationally, Ocasio-Cortez shifted the focus from policy to campaign strategy.
"It's not only about our substantive positions, but also how we organize and run as well," she said.
Like Ocasio-Cortez, the three primary winners have all been critical of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, making the issue a defining point of the Democratic Party's progressive wing.
Congressional candidates Claire Valdez, left, Brad Lander, second from left, and Darializa Avila Chevalier, right, raise their hands with Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a Get Out the Vote rally in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The victories showcased a surge of support for socialist-backed Democratic candidates, at least in New York. Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., in New York’s 13th Congressional District; Assembly Member Claire Valdez won the Democratic primary in New York’s 7th Congressional District, where retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., is not seeking re-election; and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander ousted Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., in New York’s 10th Congressional District — all after aligning themselves with Mamdani's campaign.
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If they prevail as expected in November’s midterm elections and head to Congress, their victories would signficantly expand the number of Democratic Socialists of America-aligned members in Congress.
Hannah is a Production Assistant for the Politics team at Fox News Digital.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
