Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, told The New York Times she is weighing whether the timing is right and how her identity factors in as she considers a possible run for U.S. president or for the Senate. Ocasio-Cortez, who is running for re-election in November to represent New York's 14th congressional district (based in Queens and parts of the Bronx), turns 37 on October 13 and is seen as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, as well as a strong potential Senate candidate should she challenge Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer, whose term ends in two years.
Speaking while recovering from COVID-19, she said her Senate decision would not hinge on 'deference,' even if Democrats win the Senate majority in November's elections, but rather on where she can 'do the most good.' She acknowledged thinking about being a Latina woman under what she called a 'very regressive administration,' and noted that the United States has never elected a woman president, saying she does not ignore that reality when others openly discuss electability while she is expected not to.