A candidate aimed at taking over Nancy Pelosi’s position faced unexpected embarrassment when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who he often highlights connections with, declined to endorse him during a video interview.
During the exchange, Ocasio-Cortez was asked about Saikat Chakrabarti, her former chief of staff from 2018, who is now running to represent San Francisco in Congress.
Responding to a question about his past aide, she stated, “I’m trying to think more broadly about the role I’m trying to play in these things.”
Chakrabarti, known as a billionaire and former tech company employee, has prominently featured Ocasio-Cortez in his campaign materials. He was her legislative aide during her groundbreaking 2018 campaign.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has not yet endorsed Saikat Chakrabarti, her former campaign manager and chief of staff, who is seeking to replace Nancy Pelosi as California’s 11th District representative… pic.twitter.com/A2t9naEMXW
Boasting about their collaboration, Chakrabarti expressed gratitude for Ocasio-Cortez’s unique political stance and continued to push forward with his campaign, which he announced last year.
Having amassed wealth from the financial tech firm Stripe, Chakrabarti invested $5 million into his attempt to unseat Pelosi. He identifies himself as a former tech director for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and claims to have played a key role in the development of the Green New Deal.
His past behavior in Congress garnered mixed reactions, particularly for conflicts with some fellow Democrats.
In a recent interview, Ocasio-Cortez mentioned her streamlined political team and touched on the intricate dynamics of congressional campaigns, saying, “There are 435 seats in Congress, right?”
Chakrabarti is vying against notable opponents like state Sen. Scott Wiener and attorney Marie Flavier. He has garnered support from various figures, including drag performer Peaches Christ.
He recently stirred controversy by criticizing far-left streamer Hasan Piker over a racially charged comment, although he didn’t respond to several requests for comments regarding this issue.
Various pundits and supporters expressed disbelief at Ocasio-Cortez’s lack of endorsement, suggesting a shift in the expected political dynamic.
