San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan has launched a campaign to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi in California’s 11th Congressional District, framing the race as neighborhood interests versus outside money and stressing her working‑class roots. Chan released a YouTube launch video that included footage of Pelosi and reiterated her commitment to grassroots representation. The Democratic primary is crowded — notable contenders include State Sen. Scott Wiener and former AOC aide Saikat Chakrabarti, who have reported substantial early fundraising. The primary is set for June 2, 2026.
Connie Chan Enters Race for Nancy Pelosi’s Seat, Emphasizing Working‑Class Roots
San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan has launched a campaign to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi in California’s 11th Congressional District, framing the race as neighborhood interests versus outside money and stressing her working‑class roots. Chan released a YouTube launch video that included footage of Pelosi and reiterated her commitment to grassroots representation. The Democratic primary is crowded — notable contenders include State Sen. Scott Wiener and former AOC aide Saikat Chakrabarti, who have reported substantial early fundraising. The primary is set for June 2, 2026.
05:07 AM, 11/21/2025Politics
San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan announced Thursday that she is running to succeed retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi in California’s 11th Congressional District. In a YouTube launch video, Chan framed the race as a choice between local neighborhoods and outside money and emphasized her working‑class background.
“I’m not a corporate Democrat. I didn’t make money in tech. I’m a working mom. I made lunch for my kid,” Chan said, adding that she is running “for all the people who are being shut out by the system.” The launch video also included footage of Chan with Pelosi; Chan said she “stands on the shoulders of those who came before me and fought for the same values.”
Where the race stands
Pelosi, 85, announced earlier this month that she will not seek reelection after nearly four decades representing San Francisco in the U.S. House. The two‑time House Speaker is the only woman to have held that gavel.
Chan joins a competitive Democratic primary. State Sen. Scott Wiener and Saikat Chakrabarti, a tech engineer and former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez (D‑N.Y.), are among the other declared candidates; both launched their campaigns before Pelosi disclosed her plans to step down.
According to Federal Election Commission reports, Wiener and Chakrabarti had raised more than $1 million and $220,000, respectively, as of the end of September. Chakrabarti has also loaned his campaign $720,000.
Background
A native of Hong Kong, Chan moved to California as a teenager. She graduated from the University of California, Davis and has served on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors since 2021. Earlier in her career she worked as a legislative aide to the Board of Supervisors and served as a liaison to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities for then‑San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris.
The primary is scheduled for June 2, 2026. Pelosi has not yet endorsed a successor.