Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a.k.a. AOC, has backed just about every socialist candidate who has been running for office in this country, including New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
She is drawing the line now, however, refusing to back a candidate hoping to make waves in the House in the 2026 election.
The challenger, far-left New York City councilman Chi Ossé, has announced that he will be challenging House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for his seat in the Democrat primary, but AOC is backing away from his campaign.
Radio personality Charlamagne tha God has recently called out Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for their failed leadership.
He stated, “People are screaming for change. Democrats, let’s see you harness that energy.”
Then, he mocked the Democrat House leader specifically, adding, “Come on. People are angry. So why is Hakeem Jeffries talking like he’s Chuck E. Cheese Obama?”
Charlamagne was not alone in that sentiment, but while the calls to replace Schumer have grown, things have quieted down a bit on the Jeffries front.
Ossé appears to want to take advantage of the discontent within the House regarding Jeffries’ leadership, and I am sure he thought AOC would back him since she has backed a host of other socialist candidates.
He stated, “The Democratic Party’s leadership is not only failing to effectively fight back against [President] Donald Trump, they have also failed to deliver a vision that we can all believe in.”
NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella responded to the announcement, “The far-left takeover of the Democrat Party is complete.”
His statement continued, “Hakeem Jeffries bent the knee to Zohran Mamdani, and Mamdani’s best friend immediately turned around and launched a primary against him. That’s how weak their ‘leader’ really is.”
Ossé had to be disappointed when AOC decided that challenging Jeffries right now is not the way to go.
When asked about Ossé’s candidacy, she stated, "But I certainly don't think a primary challenge to the leader is a good idea right now.”
Mamdani was also a bit coy when asked about the challenge, stating, "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.”
This is going to make for an interesting fight in New York, as I am sure some in the far-left movement will feel betrayed by AOC if she does not endorse a rising Democrat socialist. I would say that such a move may not really have an impact in terms of her current House seat, but it could harm her chances if she does decide to run for the Senate, as many are now anticipating she will.
