Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is actively supporting San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan in the race to succeed her in Congress. Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco for nearly 40 years, has mobilized her political network to assist Chan in her campaign against state Senator Scott Wiener. This includes hosting fundraisers, securing endorsements, and providing campaign resources. Wiener has noted that Chan's campaign appears heavily influenced by Pelosi, contrasting it with his own grassroots support.
Pelosi has publicly endorsed Chan, stating, "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." The relationship between Pelosi and Wiener has become strained, as he announced his congressional campaign prior to Pelosi's decision not to seek re-election.
The timing of Wiener's announcement has led to disputes, with some of Pelosi's allies claiming he assured them he would wait to announce his candidacy. Wiener has denied this, calling the claims a fabrication. Chan has received support from various political allies, including organized labor and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), while Wiener has endorsements from the California and San Francisco Democratic parties.
A recent controversy arose over an AI-powered campaign chatbot created by Wiener's campaign, which was criticized for potentially reinforcing negative stereotypes about Chan. Pelosi and other Democratic lawmakers condemned the chatbot, leading Wiener to apologize and remove it from his campaign materials.
Pelosi's support for Chan is also driven by concerns over female representation in Congress, as many previous female representatives from the Bay Area have been succeeded by men. The upcoming November election is seen as a significant test of Pelosi's influence in determining her successor.