Jeffries could face far-left Democratic primary challenge

By Chris Wade
The Center Square

The Empire State’s congressional delegation may skew more progresive in the coming midterms.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies could face a far-left primary challenge from New York City Councilor Chi Ossé, a democratic socialist who says the party needs to do more to “fight back” against the Trump presidency.

Ossé, 27, filed paperwork Monday with the Federal Election Commission creating a congressional campaign committee to explore a June primary challenge against Jeffries, a New York moderate who has faced criticism from the Democratic party’s progressive wing.

“The Democratic Party’s leadership is not only failing to effectively fight back against Donald Trump, they have also failed to deliver a vision that we can all believe in,” Ossé said in a statement. “These failures are some of the many reasons why I am currently exploring a potential run for New York’s 8th Congressional District.”

The Democratic Socialists of America is scheduled to meet Wednesday, where the party could endorse Ossé’s primary challenge to Jeffries and offer volunteers and financial support to his prospective congressional campaign.

Ossé, who was elected to the City Council in 2021, has aligned himself with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a fellow democratic socialist, and blamed Jeffries and other top New York Democrats for the party’s misfortune in previous elections. Mamdani has reportedly urged Ossé not to challenge Jeffries over concerns it could impact his efforts to convince Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to support his controversial affordability agenda.

“I appreciate the great work that Councilmember Osse has done on the Council, especially for tenants,” Mandani told reporters Monday, when asked about Ossé’s potential challenge. “I believe that there are many ways right here in New York City to both deliver on an affordability agenda and take on the authoritarian administration in the White House.”

Jeffries’ campaign dismissed the younger challenger’s bid to unseat him, and said the veteran congressman will be seeking reelection on his record representing the 8th Congressional District, which includes most of Brooklyn.

“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 in a statement. “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.”

Jeffries, 55, could be the next House Speaker if Democrats win a majority in next year’s midterm elections. He has represented the district since he was first elected in 2013. He has run unopposed in five of his last seven elections, including last year when he won a seventh term last year by 51 points.

Republicans currently have a 53-47 edge in the U.S. Senate, and Democrats would need to flip at least four seats to win a majority in the 2026 midterms. The GOP holds the tie-breaking vice presidency.