Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 36-year-old New York representative and prominent democratic socialist, has rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) after a seven-year lapse in membership. Ocasio-Cortez initially joined the DSA in 2018 with a one-year membership but did not renew after 2019.

The DSA confirmed in a statement on Tuesday night, August 26, 2026, that Ocasio-Cortez is now a member in good standing, having recently rejoined the national organization in August 2026. The organization disclosed her membership status amid ongoing discussions and campaigns within DSA chapters to draft her as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential primary.

"While it is atypical for DSA to address the membership status of individuals, ongoing discussions about the 2028 presidential campaign have prompted this release," the DSA said, according to City & State New York. "We believe that the status of her membership is essential information for members to have in their deliberations and discussions."

When Ocasio-Cortez joined in 2018, the annual membership fee was $60, with members required to manually renew dues each year. In March 2024, the DSA publicly commended Ocasio-Cortez and fellow representative Cori Bush for voting against legislation banning TikTok, highlighting their commitment to democratic values.

However, in July 2024, the DSA withdrew its endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez at the request of the NYC-DSA chapter. This decision was based on her vote for a House resolution that described "denial of Israel’s right to exist" as antisemitism and her participation in a panel discussion on antisemitism. The DSA emphasized that a national endorsement requires a serious commitment to the movement for Palestine and the broader socialist project.

Ocasio-Cortez's renewed membership comes amid speculation about her potential run for president in 2028.

Sources