A key group within the New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter narrowly voted against endorsing City Councilman Chi Osse’s Dem primary challenge against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The decision not to endorse Osse was a victory for Mayor-elect and DSA member Zohran Mamdani, who advised the DSA against backing an Osse primary against Brooklyn Rep. Jeffries during a meeting last week.
Jeffries, who was first elected to the House in 2013, will likely be the next House Speaker if the Democrats reclaim the majority in the 2026 midterm elections.
Mamdani is trying to strengthen ties with Democratic leadership in Washington and Albany to promote his affordability agenda — and protect the city’s flank from from President Trump’s threats to cut off funding after he takes office.
The DSA Citywide Electoral Working Group Saturday night said 52% or 626 members voted against recommending Chi Ossé for endorsement in New York’s 8th Congressional District, while 46% or 555 members voted yes.
The district — shaped like a backward C — runs from the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Clinton Hill to Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, Canarsie, and Sheepshead Bay and Sea Gate.
“Last Wednesday, Council Member Ossé addressed members of the Electoral Working Group (EWG) at a candidate forum. Following his remarks, EWG members engaged in a robust debate over the merits of Ossé’s candidacy, the political terrain of the district, and the strategic considerations around committing our chapter to a potential campaign. At the conclusion of the forum, we opened an online vote for members who RSVP’d to the forum, asking whether the EWG should recommend Council Member Ossé for endorsement in NY-08,” the DSA EWG said in a statement to members.
“Given that Council Member Ossé failed to win support for a recommendation of endorsement from a majority of voting members, the Electoral Working Group OC does not make a recommendation for endorsement at this time,” the statement said.
Osse, who recently joined the DSA said after the announcement of the vote, “NYC DSA FOREVER IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.”
