The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America approved a series of resolutions at a closed-door convention in Midtown on Saturday, including a call for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to seek the presidency in 2028 and a separate effort aimed at defeating Gov. Kathy Hochul and other establishment Democrats in future elections.
NYC-DSA barred the public from its biennial convention at the AXA Equitable Center. According to attendees, the 438 elected delegates representing the chapter’s 15,000 members across the five boroughs were instructed beforehand not to disclose the venue or discuss the agenda with outsiders.
DSA co-chairs Gustavo Gordillo and Grace Mausser signed the resolution supporting Ocasio-Cortez, who recently won reelection in a heavily Democratic New York House district. The measure praised her as one of the “most widely beloved members of the Democratic Party.”
“Some people want her to run and some don’t,” one delegate said. “The people who wanted her to run won.”
Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the progressive “squad,” has not commented on mounting speculation that she may seek the presidency.
During the morning session, delegates approved a consent agenda without debate. It included a measure outlining plans to challenge Hochul, US Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, as well as other establishment Democrats, in future elections.
“Whereas, 2030 brings the opportunity to challenge Governor Kathleen Hochul, a chief obstacle to the actualization of NYC-DSA’s agenda, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, another reactionary Democrat,” states the resolution, titled “From Buffalo to Brooklyn: Building DSA Electoral Power Statewide,” and obtained by The Post.
“Whereas, contesting high profile races is an effective strategy for expanding DSA’s membership, growing our profile, and propagandizing our agenda, proven by races like Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s,” the resolution continues.
“Therefore, be it resolved NYC-DSA will commit to building the necessary relationships and infrastructure to contest statewide races in preparation to run candidates for United States President in 2028, United States Senate in 2028 and 2030, and for New York Governor and Lieutenant Governor in 2030,” it states.
Supporters included NYC Council Member Chi Ossé and state Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, both of Brooklyn; Queens Assemblywoman Diana Moreno; and Cea Weaver, director of Mayor Mamdani’s Office to Protect Tenants.
Delegates also approved resolutions formally opposing the expansion of artificial intelligence, launching a campaign for a public bank in New York City, advocating for an increase in the city’s minimum wage from $17 to $30 by 2030, and creating an NYC-DSA job board and campaign staffing pipeline.
Representatives for Hochul and Gillibrand did not respond to messages. Schumer declined to comment.