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Chi Ossé Denies Plans to Challenge Hakeem Jeffries After Report of Private Talks

Progressive interest in an insurgent bid collides with warnings from Jeffries' camp.

Overview

  • Axios reported that Ossé privately discussed a 2026 primary against the House minority leader, citing three people familiar with the talks.
  • In texts to Axios, Ossé said he is not running and wrote that only a dire situation would make him consider spending his 20s in Washington.
  • Progressive groups have shown early interest after Zohran Mamdani won Jeffries’ district in the mayoral primary.
  • Jeffries’ team has issued tough signals to would-be challengers, including threats to target democratic socialists in the state legislature.
  • Several Democrats expressed skepticism that Ossé will launch a campaign, noting his reluctance about Washington and Jeffries’ powerful Brooklyn machine.