Saikat Chakrabarti, co-founder of Justice Democrats and AOC's first chief of staff, brings nine-figure wealth to his congressional campaign. The former Stripe engineer faces skepticism from San Francisco progressives who question whether someone with his fortune can represent working-class interests.

Chakrabarti's investment in Blackstone's private credit fund sparked controversy among leftists who view the firm as predatory. He countered by disclosing plans to divest from multiple funds, including Blackstone, Canyon, and real estate ventures. The candidate spent nearly $9 million on his own campaign.

Nancy Pelosi endorsed one of Chakrabarti's opponents while his former boss, AOC, withheld endorsement. The California 11th district race highlights the tension between progressive politics and wealth in Silicon Valley.