Chi Osse Credit: Emil Cohen:NYC Council Media Unit
As reported by NYC Newswire, the NYC branch of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has decided against endorsing Council Member Chi Ossé, who is contesting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in New York’s 8th Congressional District Democratic primary. Members received notice of this via an internal email sent on Saturday night.
The notification read, “Given that Council Member Ossé failed to win support for a recommendation of endorsement from a majority of voting members, the Electoral Working Group OC does not make a recommendation for endorsement at this time.”
DSA stated that 52 percent of members voted not to endorse Ossé, while the rest either favored endorsement or abstained. This slim margin illustrates significant membership division and suggests emerging splits within the New York City DSA community.
Assemblymember Mamdani Suggested Waiting on Endorsement
Prior to the vote, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani reached out to DSA members to advise against endorsing Ossé. Mamdani’s message encouraged the group to avoid participation in the NY-08 primary and focus instead on affordability initiatives, a key issue from his mayoral campaign.
Discussions and Concerns Drove the DSA Vote
There was ongoing discussion among DSA members throughout the week, online as well as internally. Several criticized Jeffries, referencing campaign funding from AIPAC and his delayed endorsement of Mamdani before the early voting phase in the mayoral contest.
In contrast, some members expressed doubts over Ossé’s commitment to DSA values, noting he only joined as a dues-paying member last summer, around the time Mamdani’s campaign was underway, raising questions about his long-term DSA involvement.
Consequences for the NY-08 Race
With voting done, Ossé continues his bid against Jeffries without official DSA support, though the group remains an important player in the city’s elections. Jeffries holds the usual benefits of incumbency, and Ossé misses out on the impact a DSA endorsement might have had.
The DSA has not made additional statements regarding the decision. Neither Ossé’s campaign nor Jeffries’ office has offered further comment on the endorsement outcome.
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