A Democrat congressional candidate was not afraid to criticize House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Matt Castelli is running against House Republican Conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik.

During an interview on the Jeff Graham Show Tuesday, Castelli said he does not ā€œthrow the use of the term ā€˜traitor’ around lightly.ā€

He added, ā€œAnd it doesn’t give me any pleasure to give Congresswoman Stefanik that label. Her actions earned her that label.ā€

Castelli agreed ā€œsometimes we need to tone down the sort of dynamic of professional wrestling that our Politics has turned into, you know, one side versus the other.ā€

He continued, ā€œAnd I’m willing to call out members of my own party when I think that they’re wrong. Listen, I think Pelosi is an authoritarian, and I’m not going to support her for another term as speaker.ā€

Castelli claimed Pelosi ā€œbreaks her promises, she tries to rule by division.ā€

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ā€œAnd we need somebody who’s going to bring folks together,ā€ he added.

Listen to Castelli’s comments below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA8xDhPuL_k

The Democrat told Fox News in a statement he has ā€œconsistently stated that I will not be supporting Speaker Pelosi for another term as speaker.ā€

According to Castelli, ā€œIt’s time for new leadership in the Democratic Party and in Congress, especially for NY-21 – which is why voters are planning to fire Elise Stefanik this November.ā€

While Castelli may have criticized Stefanik, they both agree Pelosi is ā€œauthoritarian.ā€

In July 2021, Stefanik tweeted, ā€œNancy Pelosi is a radical authoritarian Speaker.ā€

It was reported earlier this month Pelosi was planning her next move if Republicans take the majority in the House in the upcoming midterm elections, as IJR reported.

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Sources told Fox News Pelosi would like President Joe Biden to ā€œnominate her to become the next U.S. ambassador to Italyā€ if Republicans take the House.

The president is reportedly holding the spot open for Pelosi.