Democratic socialist New York City councilman files paperwork to run against Hakeem Jeffries

A democratic socialist New York City councilman has filed paperwork to run against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the 2026 midterm election.

Chi Ossé, 27, represents the city’s 36th District, which includes North Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant, in the New York City Council, which is a position he has held since 2021, The Hill news outlet reported.

The New York Post reported last week that Ossé was preparing to challenge Jeffries against the wishes of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, whom the councilman endorsed.

Jeffries “is focused on battling Donald Trump, ending the Republican shutdown of the federal government and addressing the crushing GOP healthcare crisis,” his spokesperson, Justin Chermol, told the Post.

Ossé's bid comes as other younger Democratic candidates have launched campaigns for seats currently held by older Democrats, such as Reps. Nancy Pelosi of California, Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Steve Cohen of Tennessee, and others.