The NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America passed a slew of resolutions at a closed-door Midtown convention on Saturday, including one urging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028 and another targeting newly reelected Gov. Kathy Hochul and other establishment Democrats for defeat.
NYC-DSA barred the public from its biennial commie convention at the AXA Equitable Center, where 438 elected delegates representing the chapter’s 15,000 comrades across the five boroughs were told in advance to remain tight-lipped about the location and not discuss the agenda with outsiders, according to some attendees.
DSA co-chairs Gustavo Gordillo and Grace Mausser signed the overwhelmingly approved resolution for Ocasio-Cortez, who is fresh off a reelection win in a deeply blue New York House district. The measure included gushing language calling her one of the “most widely beloved members of the Democratic Party.”
“Some people want her to run and some don’t,” said one delegate. “The people who wanted her to run won.”
Ocasio-Cortez, a “squad” member, has remained mum about growing speculation that she will run for president.
During the morning session, delegates passed a consent agenda without debate that included a measure laying the groundwork to challenge Hochul, US Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, and other establishment Democrats in future elections.
“Whereas, 2030 brings the opportunity to challenge Governor Kathleen Hochul, a chief obstacle to the actualization of NYC-DSA’s agenda, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, another reactionary Democrat,” says the resolution obtained by The Post titled “From Buffalo to Brooklyn: Building DSA Electoral Power Statewide.”
“Whereas, contesting high profile races is an effective strategy for expanding DSA’s membership, growing our profile, and propagandizing our agenda, proven by races like Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s.”
“Therefore, be it resolved NYC-DSA will commit to building the necessary relationships and infrastructure to contest statewide races in preparation to run candidates for United States President in 2028, United States Senate in 2028 and 2030, and for New York Governor and Lieutenant Governor in 2030,” it added.
Among those backing the resolution were NYC Council Member Chi Ossé and state Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, both of Brooklyn; Queens Assemblywoman Diana Moreno; and Cea Weaver, director of Mayor Mamdani’s Office to Protect Tenants.
Delegates also passed resolutions to have the chapter formally oppose the expansion of AI, start a campaign to bring NYC a public bank, lobby for increasing the minimum wage in the Big Apple from $17 to $30 by 2030, and create a NYC-DSA job board and campaign staffing pipeline.
Representatives for Hochul and Gillibrand did not return messages. Schumer declined comment.
