- Google AI
As of April 2026, Representative
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)has not endorsed her former chief of staff,
Saikat Chakrabarti, for Congress. Reddit +1
While Chakrabarti is running to replace the retiring Nancy Pelosi in California’s 11th District, AOC has explicitly declined to offer an endorsement when pressed by reporters. KRON4 +1
Status of the Endorsement
- AOC’s Response: When asked recently about Chakrabarti’s bid, AOC provided what some critics called a “word salad” or “non-answer,” stating she is “trying to think about the role that I am trying to play more broadly” and citing the constraints of a “lean team” managing many endorsement requests.
- Other Endorsements: Despite her silence on Chakrabarti, AOC has endorsed other progressive candidates for the 2026 cycle, including Analilia Mejia in New Jersey and Junaid Ahmed in Illinois.
- Public Reaction: Prominent progressives like Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks have sharply criticized her for failing to support her former aide, who was a key architect of the Green New Deal and her own 2018 victory.
Reddit +5
Context of the Race
Chakrabarti is competing in a high-profile primary on June 2, 2026. His opponents include: Instagram +2
- Scott Wiener: A California State Senator widely considered the establishment favorite.
- Connie Chan: A San Francisco City Supervisor.
- Marie Hurabiell: An attorney and activist.
While AOC remains on the sidelines, Chakrabarti has secured other progressive endorsements, including from former Representative Jamaal Bowman and drag icon Peaches Christ.
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