Saikat Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, lost his bid for Congress in San Francisco’s recent primary election. Chakrabarti spent at least $8.8 million on his campaign but came in third with 18 percent of the vote.

Grassroots Support

Initially, Chakrabarti’s campaign showed promise, with many volunteers and a strong grassroots presence. However, he failed to secure the endorsement of his former boss, Ocasio-Cortez, which senior staffers believe was a significant factor in his loss.

Chakrabarti’s campaign focused on issues such as transitioning to clean energy, abolishing ICE, and establishing Medicare for All. Despite his progressive platform, he was unable to gain the support of major local political groups, including unions and city politicians.

Local Angle

The election highlights the complexities of San Francisco’s political landscape, where candidates must balance the needs of various constituencies. Chakrabarti’s loss may be attributed to his inability to connect with key demographics, including young voters who failed to show up at the polls.

Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.