Republican Senator Ted Cruz is warning his party not to dismiss the potential of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a 2028 presidential bid. While campaigning in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, on Wednesday, the Texas senator suggested that the New York Democrat could pull off a victory if she secures her party’s nomination, Newsweek reports.
Cruz made these remarks while discussing the current Senate race in Michigan between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers. He argued that if El-Sayed manages to win his seat, it would effectively dismantle the primary argument that progressive candidates are too extreme to win over a national audience. “If El-Sayed wins, the Democrat nominee for president in 2028 will be AOC,” Cruz said. “In the primary, the number one argument against AOC is she’s too extreme to win the general.”
The senator pointed toward the political success of Zohran Mamdani in New York City as an example of shifting voter trends that many observers once viewed as unlikely. Cruz emphasized that the country is currently divided, and he cautioned Republicans against assuming that an Ocasio-Cortez nomination would automatically result in a GOP win. “Look, if she is the nominee, she could win,” he said.
Beyond the presidential conversation, Cruz used his time in Michigan to escalate his criticism of El-Sayed
Democratic strategist Eddie Vale suggested that everyone should approach the 2028 cycle with a sense of humility. He noted that the political environment is unpredictable, pointing to the election history of President Donald Trump and the varying success of Democrats across different districts. Vale described the upcoming presidential primary process as a “long and grueling crucible,” adding that it is too early to determine which candidate will be best positioned for the race.
Prediction markets currently list Ocasio-Cortez as a top contender for the 2028 election, sitting behind Vice President JD Vance in implied probability. While no candidates have officially declared, Cruz has previously admitted that he has an interest in the presidency, though he has not made a formal announcement. Polling data shows a crowded field, with Vance leading among GOP voters in recent surveys.
Cruz used his time in Michigan to also escalate his criticism of El-Sayed. He claimed that the Democratic candidate could pose a national security risk if elected to the Senate and assigned to the Intelligence Committee. Cruz alleged that El-Sayed is a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood and expressed concern that he might leak classified information about U.S. operations.
“If I am correct that he is a passionate supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, there is a very real risk that Americans will die as a result,” Cruz said. He continued, “We have every reason to believe that Abdul El-Sayed, if he found out that they’re about to apprehend these terrorists, that he would let those terrorists know.”
El-Sayed has denied these allegations, stating that he has no ties to the organization. In an October 15 interview with NBC, he characterized the claims as “hearsay evidence from a tweet.” His campaign spokesperson, Cole Wozniak, pushed back against the comments, calling Cruz a deeply unpopular politician. Wozniak argued that these remarks are an attempt to distract voters from economic concerns.
The Michigan Senate race remains a major focus as both parties look toward the midterms. Recent polling shows a competitive contest, with some surveys placing El-Sayed ahead of Rogers, while others suggest the margin is much thinner.
The outcome is expected to play a role in the broader debate regarding the viability of progressive candidates in key battleground states.
Published: Oct 29, 2026 05:45 pm