Metropolis Council Member Ossé at a rally earlier than a listening to on his invoice to drive landlords to pay dealer charges. Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
redit: Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
Brooklyn Metropolis Council Member Chi Ossé, who lately joined the Democratic Socialists of America, has filed to problem Democratic Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries in subsequent yr’s major election.
Nevertheless, on Monday, he mentioned, “It seems like we’re in a dire situation,” in a social media put up that appeared to verify his choice to run.
“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 advised Axios in an announcement.
Ossé seems to be emboldened to problem institution pols from their left within the wake of democratic socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory earlier this month.
Nevertheless, in response to a New York Occasions report, Mamdani doesn’t need Ossé to run in opposition to Jeffries, fearing it may disrupt his efforts to push ahead his formidable affordability agenda.
Mamdani spent months throughout the basic election making an attempt to win Jeffries’ assist, an effort that finally proved profitable when Jeffries lastly threw his assist to Mamdani 11 days earlier than the election.
The incoming mayor wouldn’t say whether or not he would endorse Ossé when requested about it throughout an unrelated Monday Bronx press convention. As a substitute, he appeared to discourage the council member from operating.
“While I appreciate the great work that Councilmember Ossé has done on the council, especially for tenants,” Mamdani mentioned, “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 is in line to be elected speaker of the Home if Democrats win again the bulk in 2026. Now, with Jeffries himself dealing with a problem from the left, the Home Democratic chief faces the bizarre scenario of defending his dwelling seat in what may very well be a tough major whereas additionally main the get together’s nationwide efforts to retake the Home.
Justin Chermol, a spokesperson for Jeffries, mentioned he “welcome(s)” the problem in response to Ossé’s reported run.
“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,” Chermol mentioned. “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.”
