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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."

City Councilmember Chi Ossé of Brooklyn has taken the first official step toward a Democratic primary challenge against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the highest-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The Democratic Party’s 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,” Ossé said in a statement.

Ossé, 27, was elected to his second full term on the City Council in November and recently joined the Democratic Socialists of America. He has used a growing social media presence to engage New Yorkers on how the government works and when it doesn’t.

LEBANON, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana homeowner accused of killing a house cleaner who mistakenly arrived at his front door was charged with voluntary manslaughter on Monday in a case that could test the limits of stand-your-ground laws.

Curt Anderson, 62, could face anywhere from 10 to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if he’s convicted. He was being held in the Boone County Jail pending an initial court hearing.