Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has stated she will decide after this year's midterm election whether to run for president, pursue a Senate seat, or remain in her House district. In an interview with the New York Times, the 36-year-old has openly acknowledged that her decision will be shaped by personal considerations including her gender, race, age and family plans, notably her consideration of fertility treatment and desire to have children in future.

Ocasio-Cortez contends that the absence of a female US president is a material factor in any campaign calculus, pointing to Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris as the only women to win the Democratic nomination, both of whom ultimately lost. Current polling reveals significant challenges: fewer than 1 per cent of Republicans view her favourably (versus 75 per cent unfavourably), whilst among likely voters overall only 30 per cent hold a favourable view against 41 per cent unfavourable. She currently registers at 11 per cent in Democratic primary polling averages. The congresswoman has also highlighted the gendered and racialized scrutiny she faces, citing a viral video of her fixing her hair that garnered 25 million views and drew sexualized commentary.