A Brooklyn City Councilman known for progressive affiliations has officially started a campaign committee to take on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the 2026 Democratic primary. This intra-party nomination challenge is quite unusual for such a high-ranking Democrat in Congress.
On Monday, November 17, the Federal Election Commission acknowledged the launch of the campaign committee named “Chi Ose for Congress.” This announcement confirms that 27-year-old City Councilman Chi Osse is gearing up to run for New York’s 8th Congressional District. Océ, who made history as the youngest elected member of the City Council in 2021, has recently rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America.
Currently, the seat is held by Hakeem Jeffries, who has represented the district since 2013.
Océ, who is openly gay, has conveyed to political insiders his intention to run in the upcoming midterm elections. He mentioned in a statement that “I’ve heard a lot of concerns about Democratic leadership.” It seems that addressing these concerns is motivation for some of his actions.
He noted, “That’s a big part of why I worked so hard to get Zoran elected and defeat establishment champion Andrew Cuomo.”
This decision comes despite pushback from New Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani, who reportedly has discouraged Océ from running. Sources suggest that Mamdani fears this challenge might upset the delicate balance between more radical and moderate factions, hindering his own political agenda. Interestingly, Océ was not included in Mamdani’s election night celebrations, apparently due to disagreements.
Océ, who has cultivated a strong social media presence and a focus on youth-oriented messaging, garnered attention for his personal beliefs. In an interview earlier this year, he shared that he grew up practicing Nichiren Buddhism and is currently reconnecting with that tradition. He remarked, “Many people think… [Buddhists are] really kind, or rather, very calm and non-aggressive. Those are not characteristics I would use to describe myself.” Nichiren Buddhism, he noted, is one of the largest sects within Japanese Buddhism.
His candidacy underscores a growing discontent among progressive candidates. An Axios survey indicated that fewer than 25% of Democratic House candidates are committed to supporting Jeffries as leader. Many have criticized his delayed approval of Mamdani, a weak stance against Donald Trump, and a perceived neglect of urgent healthcare reform. New Hampshire’s Heath Howard has called for “a new type of leadership,” while others, like Illinois’ Kat Abu Ghazaleh, are demanding action “against this administration.” Maryland firefighter Harry Jarin expressed concerns that the party’s leadership is not addressing the anger within their base.
Jeffries, who hasn’t faced a competitive primary since his first election in 2012, dismissed early chatter regarding challenges in an October interview, stating, “You know, given what’s coming out of Brooklyn, it’s not a serious question.” His spokesperson later emphasized that Jeffries is concentrating on opposing Republican legislative efforts, combating gerrymandering, and preparing for the upcoming midterms in 2026.
Whether Océ will gain formal backing from the Democratic Socialists of America remains uncertain. Having recently rejoined this organization, he suggested that his relatively short membership might affect their support. Upcoming meetings with the DSA’s election working group could clarify his position in this context.
