SAN FRANCISCO — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will face a Democratic primary challenge from Saikat Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in what could become a high-profile generational battle over the party’s direction.
Chakrabarti, 39, announced his candidacy Wednesday, citing Pelosi’s resistance to progressive leadership, particularly her efforts to block Ocasio-Cortez from securing a top position on the House Oversight Committee. “I respect what Nancy Pelosi has accomplished in her career, but we are living in a totally different America than the one she knew when she entered politics 45 years ago,” Chakrabarti said in a social media post.
Pelosi, 83, has represented San Francisco in Congress since 1987 and remains one of the most influential figures in Democratic politics. She has not publicly commented on Chakrabarti’s challenge but has signaled her intention to seek another term in 2024.
“I’ve got some news: I’ve decided to run against Nancy Pelosi to represent San Francisco in Congress. I know some of you might be surprised that Speaker Emeritus Pelosi is running again, but she is — for her 21st term! Watching Trump and Elon freely unleash chaos in their illegal seizure of government, it’s become clear to me that the Democratic Party needs new leadership,” he said. “I don’t understand how DC’s Democratic leaders are so paralyzed and unprepared for this moment after living through President Trump’s first term — and after Trump and Elon warned us exactly what they planned to do.”
Chakrabarti, a former tech entrepreneur who played a key role in Ocasio-Cortez’s rise, has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies, including the Green New Deal. His entry into the race underscores a broader ideological struggle between the Democratic establishment and the party’s left wing.