New York socialist Chi Ossé drops bid to challenge Jeffries
New York City Councilman Chi Ossé, a member of the Democratic socialists of America (DSA), has ended his bid to challenge House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the upcoming primary.Ossé cited a lack of support from key left-wing colleagues, including prominent figures like Representative alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, both members of the DSA. Mamdani had recently advised that it was not the right time to pursue such a primary challenge. Ossé emphasized that he would not proceed without the backing of the DSA, marking the conclusion of his campaign exploration. This development highlights ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party between its progressive wing and establishment leaders like Jeffries, and also the challenges in maintaining party unity. Jeffries’ team welcomed the primary challenge, expressing readiness for a debate on leadership to address critical issues affecting Brooklyn and the nation.
New York socialist drops bid to challenge Jeffries after failing to gain support from DSA comrades
New York City Councilman Chi Ossé announced Friday he is dropping plans to oust House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), citing a lack of support from left-wing colleagues.
Ossé, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, filed to challenge Jeffries in the primary this fall. His campaign is now ending after failing to garner the support of key allies, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, also a DSA member, who recently warned that “right now is not the time to be engaging in that kind of a primary.”
“Exploring the possibility of this run was important,” Ossé said in a statement to Politico this week. “As committed, I will not be launching this campaign without the support of the DSA, and so the exploration process has concluded.”
The revelation comes after Ossé had previously suggested he was “not going anywhere,” even after the DSA voted not to endorse the councilman’s challenge to Jeffries late last month.
The development also highlights the delicate balance Democrats must strike to hold the party together, which is increasingly torn between centrists and more progressive factions. And it signals that there are limits on how far the leading left-wing figures, particularly Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani, are willing to go in challenging certain establishment elders, such as Jeffries, who are attempting to sustain the fragile Democratic coalition.
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Jeffries had previously said he welcomed the idea of a primary opponent.
“Leader Jeffries is fighting hard to lower the high cost of living, address the Republican healthcare crisis, combat corruption, and win back control of the House for the good of the country,” Jeffries spokesman Justin Chermol said last month. “We welcome this primary challenge and look forward to a rigorous debate about the type of serious leadership required to deliver for the people of Brooklyn and the nation.”
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