A millionaire Silicon Valley titan has launched a bid for Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat — with the backing of a famous drag queen.
Saikat Chakrabarti, 40, shared video of “Peaches Christ” endorsing him on social media on Friday after he announced his intention to run.
In the footage, she says: “San Francisco has a rare opportunity right now. This congressional race will decide whether we keep accepting business as usual or whether we send someone to Washington willing to actually challenge the systems that created the crises we’re living through.”
They laughed and smiled their way through the event, where they revealed plans for an April 4 Drag Me To Vote meet in San Francisco.
But they received a swift backlash online, with many pondering whether Chakrabarti — controversial congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s former chief of staff — was taking it seriously.
One wrote: “Dude what is this? no one is forcing you to do this? just focus on affordability please.”
Another posted: “Nothing like being dragged to back a billionaire when there is another option who is not a billionaire or a billionaire’s bro.
“Vote Connie Chan. Also, why aren’t y’all supporting the woman of color whose running who is also backed by labor? What is your class analysis here?”
And one more added online: “The guy has zero track record in San Francisco. Bad choice, Peaches.”
Chakrabarti will face off against San Francisco City Supervisor Connie Chan and State Senator Scott Wiener in the midterms in June after Pelosi said in November she will step down.
He has faced a backlash over his wealth in a city struggling with a homeless crisis and soaring house prices, as well as his lack of political experience.
Wiener earlier this month called him out for the lack of time he has spent in the city, saying: “My opponent is using his vast personal wealth to try to buy a seat in Congress.
“I’m not worth hundreds of millions like he is, but what I do have is decades of real experience delivering for San Francisco.”
He added on social media: “Being hyper-rich can buy you a lot of things, but it shouldn’t be able to buy you an election.”
Chakrabarti worked in technology in Silicon Valley before pivoting to politics and becoming Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff who masterminded her Green New Deal.
He suddenly resigned from her office in 2019 when the feds launched a probe into possible finance misdeeds.
The inquiry centered on two political action committees he founded — Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats — that were meant to support progressive candidates across the country.
It was later reviewed by the FEC and the agency found no wrongdoing and no charges were ever filed.
