Chakrabarti Pushes Grassroots Message After Pelosi Endorsement
India-West News Desk
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -Congressional candidate Saikat Chakrabarti said his bid for California’s 11th Congressional District is centered on voter support rather than political backing after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan in the closely watched race.
Pelosi announced her support for Chan before the election that will determine the top two candidates advancing to the November general election in the district, which largely covers San Francisco.
Chakrabarti said he entered the race to challenge existing leadership and present a different vision for voters. “I decided to run for Congress last year against Nancy Pelosi because I know that we need a new generation of leadership to do more than just stop Trump,” Chakrabarti said. “We need to deliver on a vision for a fundamentally better life for all,” he added.
Chakrabarti said his team has focused on reaching residents across the city instead of seeking support from political insiders.
“Our strategy has never been to win the endorsements of the establishment I’m running against — it’s been to win the votes of people directly,” he said.
He said volunteers have knocked on nearly half a million doors and organized hundreds of rallies and town halls across San Francisco.
“People aren’t showing up just because of me,” Chakrabarti said. “They’re showing up because they’re sick and tired of a broken status quo and believe a better future is possible.”
In a campaign video, Pelosi described Chan as a leader who understands San Francisco’s “values, diversity, communities, and responsibility to lead with both compassion and strength.”
“Speaker Emerita Pelosi has shown by example what we can do when we stand together,” Chan said in a statement. “We will now fight to make sure our beloved city remains a place of opportunity for all San Franciscans, and the conscience of our nation.”
Also running are state Sen. Scott Wiener and local activist Marie Hurabiell.
