Saikat Chakrabarti, a leading candidate to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi, is utilizing a ground game modeled on Daniel Lurie’s successful door-knocking operation. This includes recruiting personnel with specific language skills to reach key voter demographics.

Canvassing the Sunset District

Two paid Cantonese field organizers, Yan Liu and Albert Lam, led a team of 10 Cantonese canvassers in a training session at the Sunset Recreation Center. The canvassers practiced their pitches and received feedback on their delivery, preparing to engage voters in the Sunset District.

Challenges and Techniques

Canvassers often faced physical challenges, with many doors requiring climbs of 28 stairs or more. They were instructed to wait after ringing the doorbell, initiate conversation before distributing flyers, and specifically ask voters about their intentions for the June 2 primary. Many doors went unanswered, and some voters reported already being contacted.

Campaign Strategy and Messaging

The $1.77 million campaign, largely funded by Chakrabarti himself ($1.47 million), acknowledged some overlap between teams but could afford the inefficiency. Liu and Lam tracked canvasser locations via a mobile app and served as a central information hub, addressing voter questions on the fly.

One canvasser sought guidance on responding to a voter concerned about a “Trump authoritarian coup.” Lam advised listening and relaying the information for script updates. The campaign is preparing a new Chinese-language flyer and tailoring its message based on voter feedback.

Appealing to Asian Voters

Thanks to input from Liu, Lam, and political director Nadia Rahman, Chakrabarti appears well-positioned to appeal to Asian voters. He was guided by Liu and Lam during the Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown, engaging with the community and enjoying local treats.

Canvassers emphasized Chakrabarti’s Harvard education, Silicon Valley experience, and his prior work in Congress as a former staffer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Key policy positions, including Medicare for All, universal childcare, and opposing PG&E, were also highlighted. The campaign carefully avoided taking a firm stance on the Upper Great Highway closure.

Lessons from Past Campaigns

Liu, who previously worked with Han Zou on Lurie’s and Matt Haney’s campaigns, praised Zou’s leadership style – a balance of instruction and empowerment. He noted that Chinese canvassers often receive more flexibility in their approach, recognizing the importance of direct, language-accessible communication.

Liu stated, “It’s only rational to think I want to learn from that campaign,” referencing Lurie’s success among Chinese voters. He even successfully persuaded a business owner in Chinatown to display a Chakrabarti sign alongside a Lurie sign.

Motivations and Perspectives

Lam, 23, brings the added benefit of speaking Toishanese, a dialect common among older Chinese immigrants. Despite his enthusiasm, he acknowledged his father’s disinterest in political involvement. Both Liu and Lam expressed strong support for Chakrabarti, citing his economic policies and vision for the future.

Liu, a long-time supporter of Ocasio-Cortez, and Lam, an economics graduate, believe Chakrabarti represents a necessary shift in addressing wealth inequality in San Francisco. Lam believes Chakrabarti is the candidate for his generation.