Mamdani's far-left allies aim to primary Hakeem Jeffries and other NYC House Democrats

Zohran Mamdani's democratic socialist allies may be eyeing primary challenges next year against some congressional Democrats in New York City, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

But a senior political advisor to Jeffries is promising that anyone who tries to oust the top Democrat in the House in next year's primaries will face a "forceful and unrelenting" response.

Mamdani, the 33-year-old Ugandan-born democratic socialist assemblyman from Queens, sent political shock waves across the country with a convincing victory two weeks ago over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. And Mamdani took a big step toward becoming New York City's first Muslim mayor.

In the wake of Mamdani's primary victory last month, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) highlighted that "this movement is bigger than one person, election, city, or organization."

MAMDANI POLITICAL TSUNAMI SWAMPS DEMOCRATS AS PARTY SEARCHES FOR PATH FORWARD

"We encourage all people inspired by the Zohran campaign to join their local DSA or YDSA chapter and get involved so we can continue to fight alongside Zohran and DSA elected officials across the country to create the future we all deserve," they added in a statement.

Fast-forward to today, and DSA leaders are apparently mulling running primary challengers against Jeffries as well as other House Democrats whose districts are in New York City, including Reps. Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman and Yvette Clarke.

THE PLOT TO STOP MAMDANI: DEMOCRATS SCRAMBLE TO PREVENT FAR-LEFT TAKEOVER IN NYC

Jeffries, who two years ago succeeded longtime House Democratic leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been criticized by some of New York City's far-left leaders as a moderate and establishment Democrat.

"His leadership has left a vacuum that organizations like DSA are filling. I think that is more important right now," New York City’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter co-chair Gustavo Gordillo told CNN.

Democratic socialist state Sen. Jabari Brisport, whose district includes some of the same areas of Brooklyn as Jeffries House district, argued in a statement to Fox News that the longtime congressman is "rapidly growing out of touch with an insurgent and growing progressive base within his own district that he should pay more attention to."

Democratic strategist Andre Richardson, a top Jeffries political advisor, pointed to the sweeping and controversial moves by President Donald Trump during the opening months of his second tour of duty in the White House, and said, "Leader Hakeem Jeffries is focused on taking back the House from the MAGA extremists who just ripped health care away from millions of Americans."

Richardson also warned in a statement to CNN that if those on the left mount a primary challenge against Jeffries, "our response will be forceful and unrelenting. We will teach them and all of their incumbents a painful lesson on June 23, 2026."

RESURFACED MAMDANI PHOTO SPARKS SOCIAL MEDIA FIRESTORM 

Jeffries, when asked about a potential primary challenge in an interview Wednesday with CNN, responded that he had "no idea what these people are talking about."

And Jeffries said he's focusing "on pushing back against the extremism that has been unleashed on the American people."

Jeffries, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and some other top Democratic elected officials in New York have praised Mamdani’s campaign. And while they've defended him from Trump's attacks, they have refrained, as of now, from endorsing the Democratic mayoral nominee. 

Mamdani surged to a primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City's high cost of living.

He made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating fares to ride New York City's vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) "tuition-free," freezing rents on municipal housing, offering "free childcare" for children up to age 5, and setting up government-run grocery stores.

Thanks in part to the efforts of a massive grassroots army of volunteers, Mamdani rode a wave of support from younger and progressive voters to catapult into first place over Cuomo, who had been the primary frontrunner.

"I think it's clear that voters are prioritizing action over inaction, and not just incremental change but broad sweeping change," veteran Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo told Fox News Digital, when asked about what Mamdani's victory means for the party.

And Caiazzo, a veteran of Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, said one reason for Mamdani's victory was that he tirelessly met "voters where they are."

Red state will require new teachers pass PragerU 'America First' test to keep license

FIRST ON FOX: The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is partnering with pro-Trump educational nonprofit PragerU to develop an "America First" assessment for new teachers coming into the state.

The state Department of Education is currently working with PragerU to develop the assessment for teachers "relocating from states with progressive education policies," which they must take in order to get a license to teach in Oklahoma. The new assessment will evaluate educators on three main aspects: knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, "understanding of American exceptionalism" and "grasp of fundamental biological differences between boys and girls," according to a news release about the new assessment. 

The goal of the new assessment is to ensure educators align with OSDE's commitment to an education "rooted in truth, patriotism and core values," and aims to instill "pride" in the nation's history among students. 

ARIZONA LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP WITH PRAGERU TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT AMERICA'S 'RICH HISTORY AND VALUES'

"We’re sending a clear message: Oklahoma’s schools will not be a haven for woke agendas pushed in places like California and New York," said Superintendent Ryan Walters. "If you want to teach here, you’d better know the Constitution, respect what makes America great, and understand basic biology. We’re raising a generation of patriots, not activists, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep leftist propaganda out of our classrooms."

OSDE said it was still assessing which states of origin will be required, but said California and New York would be included. The exact makeup of the test is also still under development but will be finalized in the coming weeks. The assessment will then be implemented immediately upon completion, according to OSDE.

"We’re thrilled to join Oklahoma in answering parents’ urgent call against senseless woke indoctrination," said PragerU CEO Marissa Streit. "This assessment will stop extreme leftist ideologues from harming children and ensure teachers champion America’s greatness and future potential."

HOW TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' WILL IMPACT K-12 EDUCATION

Fox News Digital reached out to multiple Oklahoma teachers unions for comment. The Association of Professional Oklahoma Educators got back, but they declined to comment, citing the fact they had not been notified of the details of this new teacher assessment yet. The Oklahoma chapter of the National Educators Association also declined to comment. 

OSDE's new assessment for new teachers is not the first reform Walters has ushered in over the last several months to ensure students get a pro-America education in the state. About six months ago, Walters released updated social studies standards aimed at strengthening civics and constitutional studies across every grade that "upholds pro-family, pro-America values." 

Under Walters' leadership, OSDE has also instituted lifetime teaching bans for serious sexual misconduct and other violations of professional standards, taken steps to address antisemitism and moved money from administrative budgets to pay for all students' lunches across the state.

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