Lefty tech millionaire Saikat Chakrabarti spent $10 million of his own cash to succeed fill Nancy Pelosi’s shoes in Congress for San Francisco, only to majorly flop and miss out on a spot in the general election.
As of Wednesday morning, the former aide to socialist Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez received just 15% of the vote count with half of the total votes in.
That’s far behind Democrats state Sen. Scott Wiener, who is the oft-leather-clad frontrunner at 41%, and Pelosi-endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan at around 29%. Wiener and Chan will advance to face off in November, the Associated Press projected.
Lefty tech millionaire Saikat Chakrabarti spent $10 million of his own cash — just to majorly crash out. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Pelosi’s pick, Connie Chan (center), is pulling in more votes than early polls suggested. Bloomberg via Getty ImagesResults so far show Chakrabarti not winning a single precinct in the 11th congressional district.
Chakrabarti has not publicly conceded as of Wednesday morning but spent his election watch party Tuesday night thanking volunteers.
“I know that the numbers don’t necessarily look great right now, but I don’t want anybody to fret,” he said. “This was expected.”
Critics, however, publicly cheered his loss.
Pelosi got the last laugh. Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via AP“Can I just say, AOC earned some real respect from me not endorsing this charlatan,” said former Newsom campaign strategist Addisu Demissie. He was referencing Ocasio-Cortez’s awkward refusal to endorse in the race despite Chakrabarti heavily campaigning on his connection to her.
Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Pelosi, had four words: “You best not miss.” But Chakrabarti did — taking shots at San Francisco icon and power player Pelosi.
It seems Pelosi’s endorsement of Chan swung the race heavily against the millionaire. Pre-endorsement polls actually had Chan slightly behind Chakrabarti, competing for second place behind Wiener.
Pelosi is no fan of Chakrabarti, previously going on a rant against him over claims that he has no real ties to San Francisco.
Chakrabarti, a former Stripe exec, had staked out a lane in the race as the most left-leaning candidate, even appearing with controversial leftist streamer Hasan Piker.
Chakrabarti was best known for his tenure as Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff, but that stint ended after his spat with congressional Democratic leadership.
