Ocasio-Cortez’s Former Aide Urges Mayoral Candidate Mamdani to Support Primary Challengers

Corbin Trent, a former top adviser to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has called on Democratic mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani to endorse primary challenges against lawmakers who oppose his proposed $9 billion tax increases on the wealthy and corporations. Trent emphasized that Mamdani’s main leverage is the primary election process, which he believes can be an effective tool for enacting change.

“Mamdani needs to back primary challengers. His strongest asset is the primary,” Trent stated, pointing out existing resistance he says Mamdani faces within the party. This stance echoes the approach President Trump has taken within the Republican Party, backing primary opponents against colleagues who hinder his agenda.

Insiders note tension between Mamdani’s progressive supporters—such as the Democratic Socialists of America and the Working Families Party—and established Democratic leaders like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, who have not endorsed him. These progressive groups suggest some long-serving Democrats may be vulnerable to primary challenges.

Jeffries, a prominent figure and top Democrat in the House, has a campaign team prepared to respond to such threats, while Jeffries himself is set to meet with Mamdani later this week. However, he has chosen not to comment publicly on Trent’s push for primaries.

Meanwhile, Ritchie Torres, representing the South Bronx, indicated he remains unfazed by these developments, highlighting that Democratic strategists are focused on defeating Donald Trump and positioning Jeffries as the next House Speaker. Despite losing to Mamdani in the primary by 20 points, Torres remains confident in his stance.

Trent criticized Democratic leaders for maintaining the status quo, arguing it fuels voter discontent and benefits Trump and the far-left, with both sides working to undermine House Democrats. He attributed Mamdani’s primary victory to his call for sweeping change to address the city’s affordability crisis, though skeptics question whether his ambitious tax hike proposals are realistically achievable without legislative approval.