New York City Council member Chi Ossé of the Democratic Socialists of America might run against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for his New York district next year.
It’s part of a wave of socialists rocking the Democratic Party. Younger, far-left hopefuls have been challenging incumbent Democrats from coast to coast.
New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, also with the Democratic Socialists of America, celebrated an overwhelming victory in the city’s race this month.
Socialist candidate Rae Huang recently announced her campaign for Los Angeles mayor against Democratic incumbent Karen Bass.
Ms. Huang is avoiding comparisons to Mr. Mamdani, but her local Democratic Socialists of America celebrated his win, and she hopes to land their endorsement.
All three — Mr. Ossé, Mr. Mamdani and Ms. Huang — are members of that socialist party.
After leaving the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America in 2020 because he “wasn’t aligned with the organization itself,” Mr. Ossé rejoined this year.
The council member teased a congressional run Monday, responding to a social media post that said it would take a dire situation for Mr. Osse to consider running for Congress.
“Seems like we’re in a dire situation,” he responded.
The 27-year-old, who was elected to the New York City Council when he was 23, told Axios that he is “currently exploring” a congressional bid after he filed paperwork on Monday.
“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,” he said in a statement to the publication.
Mr. Jeffries has run unopposed in five of his past seven Democratic primaries, including last year.
Mr. Ossé is an ally of Mr. Mamdani, although the mayor-elect has reportedly tried to discourage the younger man from running against the top House Democrat.
Mr. Jeffries endorsed Mr. Mamdani in the final stretch of the mayoral race.
The Washington Times has reached out to Mr. Jeffries’ office.
