Democrats are struggling to redefine themselves in the shadow of a resurgent Trump presidency, and into that vacuum has stepped Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose rapid rise is shaking both the Democratic establishment and surprising many Republicans. Drawing from the populist energy of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez is rapidly positioning herself as a new force in American politics, rallying support in unexpected places and reshaping what it means to be a progressive in the post-2024 era.
Across the country, Ocasio-Cortez has been drawing enormous crowds alongside Sanders in their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, with stops in deep red states like Utah, Idaho, and Montana. In Salt Lake City, thousands erupted into chants of “AOC! AOC! AOC!” as she took the stage. In Idaho, a local union leader said introducing her was the greatest honor of his life. Her presence and message are resonating well beyond the traditional Democratic base a reality that has stunned seasoned party strategists and caught many Republicans off guard.
At just 35 years old, Ocasio-Cortez now ranks among the most visible figures in American politics. Her social media reach is unmatched among Democrats who haven’t run for president or vice president, with millions of followers across Instagram, X, and TikTok. A recent YouGov poll gave her a +61 approval rating among Democrats, the highest of any non-presidential candidate in the party. In a Yale poll released last week, she placed second behind Vice President Kamala Harris in a hypothetical 2028 primary match-up, surpassing numerous other high-profile figures.
Her fundraising power is also proving formidable. In the first quarter of 2025, she raised $9.6 million more than double any previous quarter in her career. That money could be used to support like-minded candidates, expand her national organization, or fund a future bid for higher office including a run for Senate or even the presidency in 2028. Sanders himself raised $11.4 million in the same period, signaling the continued vitality of their shared grassroots network.
Despite their public denial of any formal passing of the torch, many Democrats see Ocasio-Cortez as the natural successor to Sanders’ progressive mantle. Both have framed their vision as not only left-wing but broadly populist and rooted in working-class concerns. In red states, Ocasio-Cortez has been delivering a message that transcends party lines, telling audiences, “I don’t think this is Trump country I think this is our country.” Sanders echoed that sentiment in Idaho, rejecting the blue state–red state divide and emphasizing unity.
Their approach, however, is not without controversy inside the party. Some Democratic strategists are openly worried that Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders could push the party too far to the left again, just as it’s trying to win back independent voters and moderate constituencies. Others fear their rise may alienate swing voters crucial in battleground states. Yet Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez argue that it was the party’s slide toward centrism that led many working-class voters to drift away in the first place.
Republicans, for their part, appear both alarmed and intrigued by her ability to draw such intense grassroots enthusiasm. The scale of her support, especially in traditionally conservative states, is forcing both parties to reckon with a political figure who defies conventional categories.
As her popularity continues to grow, both Democrats and Republicans are keeping a close eye on her next move. Whether she ultimately seeks the presidency or a leadership role in the Senate, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Ocasio-Cortez is no longer just a voice from the progressive wing she’s becoming a defining figure in the next generation of American politics.