Former AOC Chief of Staff Challenges Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco Congressional Race

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Saikat Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), announced Wednesday that he will challenge House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi in next year’s congressional election for San Francisco’s seat. The move sets up a high-stakes political showdown in one of the nation’s most progressive districts.

Chakrabarti, a former software engineer and key architect of the Green New Deal, made the announcement on social media, acknowledging Pelosi’s storied career while arguing that the Democratic Party needs a bold new vision. “I know some of you might be surprised that Speaker Emeritus Pelosi is running again, but she is — for her 21st term!” he wrote. “The Democratic Party needs to stop acting like it’s competing against a normal political party that plays by the rules.”

Pelosi, who will turn 85 next month, has not formally announced her re-election bid but has indicated she plans to run. She is currently recovering from a recent health issue. Chakrabarti’s candidacy adds pressure to the race, potentially influencing other contenders, including State Sen. Scott Wiener, who has previously expressed interest in the seat should Pelosi retire.

Chakrabarti’s political career is closely tied to Ocasio-Cortez’s rise. He served as her campaign manager during her 2018 primary upset over incumbent Joe Crowley and later became her chief of staff in Congress. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in crafting the Green New Deal, a sweeping policy proposal addressing climate change and economic inequality. He left the position in 2019 after a controversial first year.

In his announcement, Chakrabarti highlighted the challenges facing Americans today, contrasting them with the economic realities of Pelosi’s early years in Congress. “When Nancy Pelosi was first elected to Congress, you could buy a home on a single income. A summer job could pay for college. Republicans believed in climate change and respected election results,” he wrote on X. “Now, the things that defined the American Dream — being able to afford health care, education, a home, and raise a family — are impossible for most people.”

Chakrabarti also criticized the Democratic Party’s response to former President Donald Trump’s second term and the Republican Party’s shift toward what he called “overtly conspiratorial and anti-democracy” positions. “America is stuck, and Americans want real solutions that are as big as the problems we face,” he wrote.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Indian immigrants, Chakrabarti moved to San Francisco after college and worked in the tech industry, including as the second engineer at Stripe. He later transitioned to politics, working on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign before joining Ocasio-Cortez’s team.

Pelosi’s office and Chakrabarti both declined to comment on the announcement. The race is expected to draw national attention as a bellwether for the direction of the Democratic Party in a deeply divided political landscape.