Progressives were eager to primary sitting Democrats — until they weren’t.
Some left-wing Democrats are questioning how to balance electoral ambitions with policy aspirations in light of democratic socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City.
Mamdani reportedly tried to dissuade a city council member and close ally, Chi Ossé, from primarying House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in 2026. The Democratic Socialists of America’s New York City chapter voted over the weekend against endorsing Ossé, and the council member is reportedly considering forgoing a primary challenge.