Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., expressed opposition to a primary challenge against House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stating that such a move is not a “good idea” in an interview with Axios. Her comments followed the filing of paperwork by Chi Ossé, a member of the New York City Council, to challenge Jeffries in the Democrat primary for the House minority leader’s Brooklyn district. Ossé, who is aligned with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, faced criticism from Mamdani, who suggested that there are multiple ways to address affordability and combat the White House administration.
Ossé, 27, a Brooklyn progressive known for his activist roots and alignment with democratic socialist politics, advocated for policing, housing, and LGBTQ issues, representing the hard-left wing of the city’s Democratic Party. He criticized the party’s leadership for failing to fight back against [President] Donald Trump and for not delivering a vision that people can believe in. “These failures are some of the many reasons why I am currently exploring a potential run for New York’s 8th Congressional District,” Ossé said in a statement to Axios.
According to the outlet, Ossé’s team created an ActBlue page for campaign fundraising efforts. Progressive Change Campaign Committee head Adam Green told Politico that it is not the right moment to launch a primary challenge against Jeffries. Jeffries, who had long dismissed talk of an Ossé primary challenge, struck a confident tone Monday, telling reporters at a press conference, “Come on in — the water’s warm.”
