Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is distancing herself from a primary challenge against House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. (Getty Images)
"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 told reporters Monday.
The New York Post reported last week that Mamdani had urged Ossé against challenging the Democratic House leader.
His campaign marks a direct challenge to the old guard of the Democratic Party establishment from the party's young, progressive wing, and it comes as Democrats are riding high following Mamdani's success in New York City and their gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia.
Chi Osse, New York City Council member, filed to challenge Hakeem Jeffries in a Democratic primary. (Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Ossé filed a statement of organization for "Chi Osse for Congress," through Katz Compliance, a political campaign finance provider. He has not released an official statement announcing his candidacy.
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But responding to criticism that just last month he said, "It would take a very dire situation in order for me to even consider spending the rest of my 20s in DC. Just to be clear, I'm not running for Congress," Ossé wrote on X on Monday afternoon that it "seems like we’re in a dire situation."
Fox News' Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-distances-herself-from-hakeem-jeffries-primary-challenger