Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) signaled in an interview with Axios on Monday that she would not support New York City Council member Chi Ossé in a primary challenge against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
Why it matters: Ocasio-Cortez is one of several high-profile progressives distancing from Ossé’s potential run, arguing that it is a distraction from New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory.
Ocasio-Cortez told Axios during a brief interview at the U.S. Capitol that she was “not aware” that Ossé was challenging.
“But,” she added, “I certainly don’t think a primary challenge to the leader is a good idea right now.”
Agreed. I think it comes more from the fact that she just can’t afford to follow the rising tide of the incoming left’s hard anti-Zionist policies, being a NYC state rep.
She’s much more secure being a social liberal in a moderate party than a moderate Zionist in a truly leftist party. If anti-Zionism ever did become the party policy of the Dems, she would have to make some difficult choices facing her constituency in NYC.