Progressive New York City Councilman Chi Ossé filed paperwork Monday to challenge Hakeem Jeffries for his Brooklyn-based congressional seat.
Ossé, 27, had previously shot down speculation that he was challenging Jeffries, the powerful House minority leader, saying in early October it would take a “dire situation” to convince him to run for Congress.
“Seems like we’re in a dire situation,” he wrote Monday on social media when asked about his apparent change of heart.
Despite his trying to shut down any rumors of a primary challenge back in October, multiple outlets reported last week that Ossé was still considering it. He formally filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Monday.
Jeffries, 55, Congress’s highest-ranking Democrat, has represented New York’s 8th District since 2013. A moderate, he has run unopposed in primaries in five of the past seven elections, and has cruised to victory in general elections in the heavily Democratic district.
“We welcome this primary challenge and look forward to a rigorous debate about the type of serious leadership required to deliver for the people of Brooklyn and the nation,” a Jeffries spokesman said in a statement.
Ossé, the City Council’s youngest member, represents the 36th District, covering parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights. He’s been considered a rising progressive star since his election at age 23. He joined New York’s chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America over the summer.
Ossé and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appeared together during Mamdani’s campaign for mayor, but they have apparently clashed over Ossé’s plans to challenge Jeffries. Mamdani, who reportedly asked him to hold off on any such challenge, did not answer questions Monday about Ossé’s filing. Ossé was not present at Mamdani’s victory party on election night two weeks ago.
