US Democratic Rising Star AOC Announces Egg Freezing, Hints at Presidential Run

U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democrat-New York), considered one of the potential future presidential contenders for the Democratic Party, announced on August 9 (local time) that she has decided to undergo the egg freezing procedure.

Through social media on the same day, Representative Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that she made this decision as part of reproductive rights to "have better control over my life," adding that she plans to share the procedure process moving forward.

Ahead of an interview with ABC News, she posted a video on Instagram explaining that she had to receive hormone injections for the egg freezing procedure in a waiting room.

In her subsequent interview with ABC, she stressed, "Given the current political environment where this administration is restricting obstetric and gynecological care for women nationwide, from abortion rights to the right to maintain a healthy pregnancy, I think it is important for leaders to have these conversations and share this process."

Regarding the possibility of running for president in 2028, Representative Ocasio-Cortez stated, "I am not ruling out the possibility," and added that she is "very humbled by the tremendous support."

She also remarked, "I think anything is possible at this point," leaving open the possibility of running for the U.S. Senate in 2028, when Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) runs for re-election.

At the same time, she added, "I think right now my responsibility is to focus on the midterms rather than personal ambitions."

According to The New York Times (NYT), recent polls show that among potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates, Representative Ocasio-Cortez ranks behind former Vice President Kamala Harris in first place and California Governor Gavin Newsom in second place, fighting for the third and fourth spots with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Belonging to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) faction alongside Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont), Representative Ocasio-Cortez has drawn attention as a young leader of the progressive wing.

Following the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor, Abdul El-Sayed (41), a Muslim candidate backed by Senator Sanders and Representative Ocasio-Cortez, was recently chosen as the Democratic nominee in the U.S. Senate primary in Michigan, creating an atmosphere where the voice of the progressive faction within the Democratic Party is growing stronger.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.