Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will now face an unexpected opponent as she seeks a 21st term in Congress.
Saikat Chakrabarti, an Indian-origin man, has declared his candidacy to challenge Pelosi for San Francisco’s congressional seat.
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Pelosi has been an important figure in American politics for years and has stood out as a leading female voice in a traditionally male-dominated Congress.
She has submitted paperwork for a potential 2026 re-election bid, though she has not publicly confirmed her intentions for another term. In a city that remains a Democratic stronghold, the winner of the primary is widely expected to secure the seat for the near future.
But what do we know about Chakrabarti? Let’s take a look:
All you need to know about Saikat Chakrabarti
1. Chakrabarti is an Indian-American political adviser and software engineer who previously served as chief of staff to Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
2. Originally from Texas, he is a left-wing activist with a notable experience in progressive politics.
Saikat Chakrabarti has declared his candidacy to challenge Pelosi for San Francisco’s congressional seat. Image courtesy: www.saikat.us
3. Born in 1986 to an Indian Bengali family in Fort Worth, Texas, he completed a degree in computer science at Harvard University in 2007.
4. He worked in Silicon Valley for several years, where he co-founded Mockingbird, a tool designed for web design.
5. His experience in the tech sector also includes a role on the product team at Stripe, a payment processing company.
6. In 2015, he left the industry to become part of US Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.
7. He worked alongside Alexandra Rojas and Corbin Trent to hold campaign events and played a key role in establishing Justice Democrats, a political action group.
Chakrabarti is an Indian-American political adviser and software engineer. Image courtesy: www.saikat.us
8. His career has been closely linked to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political journey, as he played an important role in her 2018 congressional campaign. This resulted in her becoming the youngest woman elected to the US Congress.
9. He later served as her campaign manager and first chief of staff before relocating to San Francisco to work with New Consensus, a think tank that promotes the Green New Deal, which focuses on economic inequality and climate policy.
10. In 2019, Politico Playbook recognised Chakrabarti as a rising political figure to watch. He also led Ocasio-Cortez’s staff and several progressive organisations in shaping the Green New Deal while advocating for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Chakrabarti’s candidacy bid and what it means for Nancy Pelosi
Chakrabarti’s entry into the race puts pressure on Pelosi, who turns 85 next month and is recovering from hip replacement surgery. Despite her age, he faces a tough challenge in San Francisco, a city Pelosi has represented in Congress for nearly four decades.
In a statement posted on X, he wrote, “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!”
He stated that his campaign would present an “alternative vision” to the governance of US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
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…
— Saikat Chakrabarti (@saikatc) February 5, 2025
“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.
While acknowledging Pelosi’s achievements over her long political career, Chakrabarti argued that “we are living in a totally different America than the one she knew when she entered politics 45 years ago.”
He expressed frustration with the current leadership of the Democratic Party. “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. 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. And the Republican Party is overtly conspiratorial and anti-democracy.”
He added, “America is stuck, and Americans want real solutions that are as big as the problems we face.”
In his statement, he admitted that as a political newcomer, he faces an uphill battle in the race.
“I know it might seem like it’s a little early to start running. But the fact is, it’s almost impossible to defeat incumbents in our system – even at a time when both Congress and the Democratic Party stand at record-low approval ratings,” he wrote.
Pelosi was the first woman in US history to hold the position of Speaker of the House. Reuters/File Photo
Discussing his campaign approach, he said he would focus on direct voter engagement rather than relying on big-money donors.
“Now, I want to bring those solutions to Congress. I’m going to run a very different kind of campaign than most. Instead of spending hours each day doing ‘call time’ with big money donors – I’m going to spend every day talking with voters. I know! What a radical idea,” he added.
“Winning this campaign will require months of organising – online and on the street – to connect with every single voter in San Francisco. I’m excited for the work. And I hope to see you in person or on a Zoom call soon!”
Notably, Pelosi was the first woman in US history to hold the position of Speaker of the House and has played a crucial role in supporting or blocking the agendas of multiple presidents throughout her tenure.
The Speaker of the House is the only congressional role specifically detained in the US Constitution and is second in line to the presidency after the vice-president.
With inputs from agencies
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