Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has climbed into the pole position in the early jockeying for the 2028 New Hampshire Democratic primary sweepstakes.
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A new poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found Ms. Ocasio-Cortez secured 22% of the vote among likely Democratic voters, putting her right behind former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who came in at 21%.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s support has jumped 7 points since February, while Mr. Buttigieg’s has held steady.
Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona placed third at 9%, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 8% and Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont at 6%. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s last-minute 2024 nominee, came in at 5%.
On the Republican side, Vice President J.D. Vance has lost some steam since February, with his support dipping from 53% to 36%. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, has more than tripled to 26% over that period.
None of the other prospective candidates — including Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — break into double digits.
Mr. Vance is the most popular in the group, with 76% of likely Republican voters giving him thumbs-up compared with 14% who see him in an unfavorable light. Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Rubio are also immensely popular.
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For her part, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, a liberal superstar, has been coy about her plans.
She has been weighing whether to run for president or challenge Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer for his New York seat.
Roughly a year and a half out from the first nominating contests, the poll showed Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is the most popular of the liberal candidates, with 64% having a favorable opinion, 9% holding an unfavorable view, and the rest unsure or not knowing enough about her.
Mr. Buttigieg, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Sanders also are popular.
The Granite State poll included 1,458 New Hampshire residents between July 15 and 20.
The Democratic survey included 648 likely voters and had a 3.8% margin of error. The Republican survey included 579 likely voters and had a 4.1% margin of error.
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