Saikat Chakrabarti, the former chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 Democratic primary against Nancy Pelosi, who is seeking her 21st term in Congress. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Chakrabarti stated, "I’ve decided to run against Nancy Pelosi to represent San Francisco in Congress," marking his first venture into public office after a significant career in political campaigning.

Chakrabarti, 39, expressed his belief that the Democratic Party needs new leadership, emphasizing, "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" Source. He reflected on the stark differences in America since Pelosi began her political career 45 years ago, asserting the party's current leaders are "paralyzed and unprepared" for today's challenges.

In his campaign, Chakrabarti plans to pivot the focus from traditional fundraising and donor relations to direct interactions with voters. He stated, “Instead of spending hours each day doing 'call time' with big money donors, I’m going to spend every day talking with voters” Newsweek. This approach aims to forge a stronger connection with constituents in California’s 11th congressional district as they navigate rising living costs and other pressing issues.

Chakrabarti's past experiences include working on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and being the campaign manager for Ocasio-Cortez in her groundbreaking victory in 2018. He has advocated for a progressive agenda and criticized Pelosi's interventions during critical party appointments, highlighting how her leadership does not align with the changing landscape of American politics India Times.

Chakrabarti aims to bring comprehensive solutions to Congress, addressing issues such as housing affordability, healthcare access, and climate change, arguing that contemporary Democrats need to adapt to the realities Americans face today. He concluded by stating, “America is stuck, and Americans want real solutions.” By positioning his campaign as a response to both the failures of current leadership and the challenges posed by the Republican Party, he hopes to rally support for a fresh vision for the future of the Democratic Party.