New York City Council Member Chi Oss (D) filed paperwork yesterday to run for Congress in New Yorks Eighth Congressional District, which is currently represented by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). Jeffries position makes him one of the most powerful elected Democrats in the country.The Democratic Partys leadership is not only failing to effectively fight back against Donald Trump, they have also failed to deliver a vision that we can all believe in, Oss said in a statement to Axios. These failures are some of the many reasons why I am currently exploring a potential run for New Yorks 8th Congressional District. Related A gay NYC councilmembers viral videos helped defeat a very unpopular law Oss, 27, is known as a progressive voice on the New York City Council and is an ally of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D). He was first elected in 2021 and previously was a prominent figure in Black Lives Matter, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.But not all progressives in the Democratic Party are excited to see him run. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who is also part of the progressive wing of the party, said she doesnt think a primary challenge to the leader is a good idea right now when asked about Osss challenge, although she specified that she wasnt yet aware that he had filed paperwork for a candidacy. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The conservative New York Post also reported last week that Mayor-elect Mamdani urged Oss not to challenge Jeffries, citing two unnamed sources.He said he wants to strike when the iron is hot, one source said of Oss.Strikewhile the iron is hot? the other said. How about listen to the next mayor, who is the hottest thing in politicsright now.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, Mamdani said of Oss earlier this week, according to Politico reporter Jeff Coltin. Mamdani goes further in publicly discouraging Oss. Says he appreciates his work for tenants, but 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. Jeff Coltin (@JCColtin) November 17, 2025Oss has reportedly already started hiring campaign staff and set up an Act Blue page for fundraising.New Yorks Eighth is made up of parts of Brooklyn, and over 70% of residents voted for the Democratic candidate in statewide and presidential elections since 2008. The last Republican to win the district did so in 1920. Jeffries won the district with 75% of the vote in 2024 and was first elected in 2012.In 2023, Oss was honored byLGBTQ Nations sibling publicationINTOas one ofthe 25 under 25 queer people to look out for. He swept the Democratic primary and general election and became the co-Chair of the Brooklyn Delegation and the Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations. He also focused his political capital on developing human-centered public safety solutions (such as community alternatives to police) and on creating innovative ways to combat the citys housing crisis.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.