Scoop: AOC shakes up team ahead of 2028 decision

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is reshaping her inner circle amid speculation about her future political ambitions, according to multiple sources. Key members of her team are leaving or returning to their roles, signaling a shift in strategy as she prepares for potential decisions regarding a 2028 presidential bid or a Senate race. The changes include the departure of long-time campaign manager Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben, who is stepping down in September, and the appointment of Fiorella Bini as interim campaign manager. Aya Saed, previously her legislative director, has rejoined her House office as a deputy chief of staff and campaign adviser. Tanushri Shankar-Ross, who left AOC’s team in 2023, has returned as a senior adviser, while Tyler Evans, her creative director since 2021, has also exited. The restructuring comes alongside an expanded role for Mike Casca, AOC’s chief of staff. Casca, 37, brings experience from Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign and his Senate office, having joined AOC’s team in late 2023. His growing influence suggests a strategic realignment within her operation, possibly in response to evolving political dynamics and the need for more robust campaign infrastructure should she pursue a national candidacy. AOC’s team continues to draw from a network of progressive allies, including former Sanders campaign figures, indicating a broader alignment with the party’s left flank. Ocasio-Cortez maintains a small, tightly knit team that is younger than those of many potential 2028 presidential candidates. This structure allows for agility but also raises questions about scalability should she aim to mount a major campaign. Her proximity to Sanders means she could potentially leverage his existing political machinery, though such a move would require careful navigation given the current tensions within the Democratic Party. AOC has also been associated with progressive media initiatives, such as More Perfect Union, which targets working-class audiences and is led by former Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir. Additionally, her campaign utilizes Middle Seat, a consulting firm co-founded by ex-Sanders officials, further reinforcing these ties. Other former Sanders advisors are contributing to the preparations of other potential 2028 contenders, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and others. For instance, Tim Tagaris, a key digital strategist for Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 campaigns, works with Newsom through his firm Aisle 518 Strategies, helping build a powerful fundraising email list. These connections highlight the interconnectedness of progressive networks within the Democratic Party, even as individual politicians chart their own paths toward the presidency. Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben, who is leaving his position, expressed personal satisfaction with his time on AOC’s team, acknowledging the demands of continuous campaigning since the 2020 primaries. He described his departure as a necessary step, emphasizing his continued support for AOC’s vision and readiness to witness whatever lies ahead for her. Such sentiments reflect the personal investment of many in her team, underscoring the significance of these transitions. As the 2028 election cycle approaches, the evolving composition of AOC’s team and its strategic implications remain under scrutiny. With ongoing personnel shifts and deepening ties to progressive institutions, the trajectory of her political career appears poised for further transformation. The coming months will likely reveal how these changes shape her path forward.