Republican Senator Ted Cruz has made a striking prediction about the 2028 US presidential election, claiming that a victory for Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed could pave the way for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to become the Democratic presidential nominee. Cruz went further, acknowledging that AOC could win the presidency if nominated. His remarks connect Michigan's Senate race to the Democrats' potential 2028 White House contest, even as Ocasio-Cortez has not been confirmed as a presidential candidate.