Sunrise Movement Backs Green New Deal Architect Saikat Chakrabarti in Competitive California Primary

The Sunrise Movement has officially endorsed Saikat Chakrabarti, a prominent progressive strategist and former chief of staff to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in his bid for California’s 11th Congressional District. As early voting commences, Chakrabarti faces a crowded primary field that includes San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Connie Chan and state Senator Scott Wiener. The seat, formerly held by long-time House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, represents a high-stakes battleground for the future of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.

Chakrabarti gained national recognition as a co-founder of Justice Democrats, an organization instrumental in supporting primary challengers against established party incumbents. During his tenure as Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff, he played a central role in drafting the Green New Deal, a legislative framework that significantly influenced the climate provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act. His current platform, developed through his work at the think tank New Consensus, focuses on aggressive emissions reductions and economic protections for workers facing displacement from artificial intelligence.

While Chakrabarti has secured endorsements from high-profile progressives such as Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, his former boss, Ocasio-Cortez, has notably remained neutral in this contest. Supporters of his campaign, including the Sunrise Movement, view him as a necessary force to challenge corporate interests and address the climate crisis with urgency. The organization’s leadership emphasized that their support is rooted in a desire to elect candidates who are prepared to confront authoritarianism and prioritize the needs of the working class. As the primary election approaches, the race serves as a critical test for the influence of grassroots climate activism within the Democratic establishment.