Nancy Pelosi has endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan to succeed her in Congress. Pelosi’s backing — and her fundraising network — is expected to give Chan an advantage in a crowded race that also includes State Sen. Scott Wiener and progressive organizer Saikat Chakrabarti. Chan, a Hong Kong-born supervisor who chairs the Board’s Budget Committee, waited to enter the race until Pelosi announced her retirement. Voters will pick the top two candidates in two weeks to advance to the November general election.
Pelosi Endorses Connie Chan in High-Stakes Race to Succeed Her, Shifting Momentum in San Francisco
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced in November that she would not seek re-election. (Daniel Heuer / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)(Daniel Heuer)
After months of hesitation, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi formally endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan on Monday as her preferred successor in Congress. The endorsement comes as voters in Pelosi’s liberal district prepare to vote in two weeks to select the top-two finishers who will advance to the November general election.
In a short video released alongside Chan, Pelosi — seated with the Golden Gate Bridge visible behind them — said,
“I know and love this district. I know the Congress, and I know Connie. I’m proud to endorse Democrat Connie Chan and ask you to join me in electing her to Congress.”
Why the Endorsement Matters
Pelosi’s backing carries substantial weight. She has represented San Francisco in Congress for nearly four decades, made history as the first female Speaker of the House and remains one of the Democratic Party’s most effective fundraisers. Observers say Chan is likely to benefit from Pelosi’s political relationships and fundraising network.
About Connie Chan
Chan, 47, was born in Hong Kong and moved to the U.S. as a teenager. Early in her public life she volunteered as a Chinese interpreter and worked as a community organizer. In 2006 she became a legislative aide to then-Board of Supervisors member Sophie Maxwell and later held roles connected to Kamala Harris during Harris’s tenure as San Francisco district attorney.
Chan has served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors since 2021 and currently chairs its Budget Committee. She said she waited to launch her campaign until Pelosi announced she would not seek re-election. In a statement, Chan said she first encountered San Francisco at age 13 and called Pelosi’s endorsement an affirmation of the city’s values and possibilities.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Connie Chan during a congressional candidates forum in San Francisco in January. (Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)(Scott Strazzante)
The Field and Reactions
The wide-open contest already includes State Senator Scott Wiener and Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech executive and co-founder of Justice Democrats. Christine Pelosi — Nancy Pelosi’s daughter — opted not to seek her mother’s House seat and instead is running for Wiener’s state Senate seat.
Pelosi had previously told NBC News in November that endorsing a successor “isn’t my current plan,” making this full-throated endorsement a notable change of course. In a longer endorsement video scheduled for release, Pelosi elaborates:
“The past six months have given San Franciscans the opportunity to hear candidates for Congress make their case for the future of our city and our country. I have been watching this race closely with all of you — and I believe one candidate stands above the rest. Connie Chan is the leader best prepared to carry forward the fight for San Francisco in the Congress of the United States.”
Chakrabarti downplayed the impact of Pelosi’s announcement on his campaign, writing on X that he deliberately eschews establishment endorsements and is focused on voter outreach. He said his campaign has built “the largest field operation in San Francisco history” and emphasized grassroots momentum over institutional backing.
What’s Next
With the endorsement now public, attention will turn to how quickly Chan’s campaign mobilizes support and fundraising ahead of the vote in two weeks. The race remains competitive, with top-two advance rules likely to shape strategic voting and campaigning through November.
Originally published on NBCNews.com. Reported facts verified from the original article text.
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