AOC taps power player who helped Bernie Sanders defy the odds as major 2028 decision looms

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has hired Aisle 518 Strategies, led by Democratic strategist Tim Tagaris, after ending her relationship with digital fundraising firm Middle Seat, according to Axios. The staffing change comes amid calls from some progressive groups for her to run for president in 2028, as well as speculation she may challenge Chuck Schumer for his New York Senate seat.

Tagaris helped build Bernie Sanders’ online fundraising operations for his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Sanders raised $34.5 million in the final three months of 2019 and briefly led the Democratic field in early 2020 before Joe Biden secured the nomination. Ocasio-Cortez has said she will consider her options privately and does not expect to share a decision publicly soon.