Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez distanced herself Monday from New York City Councilman Chi Ossé’s decision to launch a primary challenge against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, telling Axios she was “not aware” he had entered the race and adding that she did not believe “a primary challenge to the leader is a good idea right now.”
Her comments came one day after Ossé filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission establishing “Chi Osse for Congress,” signaling an official bid for New York’s 8th Congressional District. Jeffries has represented the district since 2013 and has not faced a competitive primary since first winning the seat.
A Fracture on the Left
Ossé — a self-identified queer Buddhist activist who recently rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America — has aligned himself with the left flank of the party and was an active supporter of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. But Mamdani has reportedly urged Ossé not to run, warning that such a challenge could destabilize cooperation between the city’s radical left and moderate Democrats as he works to implement his agenda. Multiple outlets reported that Mamdani did not invite Ossé to his election-night celebration.
This week, Mamdani reiterated his opposition, saying he believed there were many ways to deliver on affordability and confront the Trump administration without launching a challenge to Jeffries.
Progressive Change Campaign Committee co-founder Adam Green struck a similar tone, arguing that progressives should focus on helping Mamdani advance his agenda and noting that the moment was not right for a primary attack on Jeffries, particularly after House Democrats held together during the recent shutdown fight.
Jeffries Responds, Says He Welcomes Challenger
Jeffries was asked about Ossé’s candidacy during a Monday press conference. Ossé has said his run is driven by what he sees as Democratic leadership’s failure to forcefully counter President Donald Trump. Jeffries responded by saying, “Come on in, the water is warm.”
Polling Shows Deep Ideological Shifts Among New York Democrats
Ossé’s challenge lands amid significant generational and ideological movement within the Democratic base. A July survey funded by a pro-Palestinian policy group showed strong favorability for Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez among New York Democrats — 68 percent for Mamdani and 75 percent for Ocasio-Cortez.
By contrast, traditional party leaders scored lower, with Jeffries at 58 percent and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at 50 percent. The same poll found 72 percent of respondents favored candidates who would support withholding U.S. weapons to Israel, a central theme of Mamdani’s campaign and a stance that reflects the broader divide between the party’s activist left and its leadership.
Epstein Email Adds New Scrutiny for Jeffries
Ossé’s announcement also comes as Jeffries faces renewed attention following the release of documents showing his campaign’s past outreach to Jeffrey Epstein. A May 2013 email from a Jeffries campaign representative at the firm Dynamic SRG described Jeffries as “Brooklyn’s Obama” and invited Epstein — who at that time had recently been released from prison — to a Democratic fundraising dinner with President Obama. The email also encouraged Epstein to support Jeffries’ efforts to help Democrats win a majority.
House Oversight Chair James Comer cited the email while promoting the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which passed the House 427–1.
A Primary That Could Test the Party
Ossé’s candidacy now sets the stage for a race that will test the balance of power between the Democratic establishment and the party’s insurgent left. With progressives divided, leadership unified, and polling signaling a restless base, the challenge has already exposed tensions that Democrats in New York may struggle to manage.
READ NEXT: Fringe City Councilman Reportedly Plans To Primary Hakeem Jeffries
