Left-wing Gen Z City Councilman Chi Osse is preparing to launch a primary challenge against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in next year’s congressional race, despite opposition from New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, according to the New York Post. An insider said Osse “wants to strike when the iron is hot,” though Mamdani reportedly warned that a challenge could disrupt the fragile truce between the party’s far-left and moderate factions. Mamdani spent months uniting the Democratic establishment ahead of his upcoming term, and Osse even skipped the mayor-elect’s victory celebration following his historic win. Sources said Osse has already begun assembling a campaign team to take on Jeffries. Osse rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America over the summer after leaving in 2020, signaling his intent to push a progressive agenda despite internal party tensions.
The rift highlights the challenge Mamdani faces in balancing the ambitions of the far-left with the Democratic establishment, including Gov. Kathy Hochul. Insiders suggest Osse’s move could complicate Mamdani’s ability to advance his socialist priorities, which include affordability, free public services, and economic equality. A formal campaign announcement from Osse is expected later this week. Meanwhile, Jeffries’ office emphasized that the congressman is focused on national issues, including confronting Donald Trump, ending the Republican-led government shutdown, and addressing the GOP-driven healthcare crisis. The intra-party conflict comes at a time when Republicans continue pressing for mid-cycle redistricting and legislative action, while Democrats navigate divisions within their own ranks.
Mamdani’s recent victory party in Brooklyn drew scrutiny for its pricey cash bar, which critics say contradicts his campaign promises. Drinks ranged from $13 for a beer to $22 for cocktails, with soft drinks at $12 and pretzel-wrapped hot dogs at $10. Social media users and commentators mocked the celebration as hypocritical, noting that the high prices clashed with Mamdani’s message of affordability and accessibility. The party, held at the newly renovated Brooklyn Paramount, drew cheering supporters but also fueled criticism that the self-styled man of the people failed to match rhetoric with action—even in celebration.
