Chi O-Se Considers House Minority Leader Bid
Democratic New York City Councilman Chi O-Se, who is a close associate of mayoral hopeful Zoran Mandani, is reportedly contemplating a run for House Minority Leader in 2026, as noted by Axios.
At just 27, Osse—an openly gay politician—has been engaging in discussions with progressive organizations about possibly challenging Hakeem Jeffries in the upcoming Democratic primary. This information emerges from anonymous sources cited by Axios. Interestingly, Jeffries has not yet chosen to endorse Mandani in the ongoing mayoral race.
On social media, Osse expressed his support for Mandani, a self-identified socialist, during the city’s Democratic mayoral primary. He described Mandani’s vision for New York City as “the most inspiring” and reiterated his backing at a rally supporting the candidate.
Elected to the New York City Council in 2021, Osse made history as the youngest member ever and is currently the sole Gen Z representative. His prominence rose during the Black Lives Matter movement, which he credits for motivating his political journey. In various interviews, Osse emphasized that activist groups significantly influenced his decision to run for office.
Neither Hakeem Jeffries’ office nor Osse’s office provided comments when approached by the media.
In 2020, Osse co-founded Warriors in the Garden, an activist group dedicated to combating police brutality and systemic oppression. He has been vocal in advocating for the defunding of the NYPD. In a June article, he asserted that police should be held accountable for their actions, aligning with his views during the profound societal debates following George Floyd’s death.
Additionally, Osse garnered significant attention for videos he shared on social media, discussing various issues and political strategies. Throughout his campaign, he has cited inspirations like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlighting the need for direct communication without intermediaries to connect more effectively with voters. Osse has expressed concern about real estate pressures on working-class residents, advocating for a focus on the needs of the community.
