New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé has filed FEC paperwork to challenge House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in Brooklyn’s 8th District. Ossé said Democratic leadership has failed to present a convincing vision and signaled the move was prompted by a “dire” moment. Jeffries’ camp welcomed the primary and highlighted his work on cost-of-living and healthcare issues. The contest promises a rare, high-profile primary in a deep-blue district.
NYC Councilmember Chi Ossé Files FEC Papers to Primary House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé has filed FEC paperwork to challenge House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in Brooklyn’s 8th District. Ossé said Democratic leadership has failed to present a convincing vision and signaled the move was prompted by a “dire” moment. Jeffries’ camp welcomed the primary and highlighted his work on cost-of-living and healthcare issues. The contest promises a rare, high-profile primary in a deep-blue district.
03:56 AM, 11/18/2025Politics
Chi Ossé launches primary challenge against House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries
New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run as a Democrat in New York’s Brooklyn-based 8th Congressional District, setting up a primary challenge to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The filing, first reported by Axios and submitted Monday, lists Ossé as a candidate in the district Jeffries has represented since 2013. Ossé did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment, but in a statement to Axios he accused Democratic leadership of falling short. “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.
Ossé also hinted at a bid on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, replying to a post that noted he had recently said he would not seek Congress and that only a “dire situation” would convince him to trade his 20s for time in Washington. In his reply he wrote, “Seems like we’re in a dire situation.”
“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,” said Jeffries spokesperson Justin Chermol. “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.”
As House Democratic leader, Jeffries has rarely faced competitive primaries in recent cycles. He ran unopposed in primary contests in five of his last seven elections, including last year in the deep-blue district. Jeffries won a seventh term in the most recent cycle by about 51 percentage points; in that same election cycle, former Vice President Kamala Harris carried the district by roughly 44 points — both candidates received more than 70% of the vote.
Ossé was first elected to the New York City Council in 2021 at age 23. He reportedly joined the Democratic Socialists of America this year and is an ally of New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, although The New York Times reported Mamdani discouraged Ossé from mounting a primary challenge to Jeffries.
The challenge sets the stage for a high-profile primary in a safely Democratic seat and could spark a substantive debate about the party’s direction, messaging and leadership ahead of the next national elections.