So much for comrades.
Progressive stalwart Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is pouring cold water on a lefty New York City lawmaker’s attempt to unseat House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The far-left “Squad” member, who reps parts of The Bronx and Queens, originally said she was “not aware” of Councilman Chi Ossé’s recently filed primary bid, a new Democratic Socialists of America member challenging Jeffries for the Brooklyn House seat.
“But I certainly don’t think a primary challenge to the leader is a good idea right now,” she then added to reporters Monday, according to Fox News.
Chi Ossé at a rally for then-NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Paul Martinka
Getty ImagesOcasio-Cortez — who herself unseated an establishment Democrat in an upset 2018 primary win — echoed Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s reluctance to endorse a fellow lefty in a primary challenge against Jeffries.
“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,” Mamdani said Monday, sidestepping a question about Ossé.
AOC pours cold water on Hakeem Jeffries’ possible primary challenger. REUTERS
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries faced calls to step down from fellow Democrats over supporting the bill to end the government shutdown. APMamdani’s refusal to back Ossé’s bid came as the incoming DSA-member mayor works to woo the establishment echelons of the Democratic Party.
Jeffries famously held out his endorsement of the Dem mayoral nominee until right before the Nov. 4 election, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of Brooklyn, never endorsed Mamdani.
APOssé, 27, was elected to the City Council in 2021 and has sponsored successful legislation such as the FARE Act, which stopped tenants from having to pony up cash for broker fees in the Big Apple.
Ossé did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
