California state Sen. Scott Wiener (D) and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan are projected to face off in November for the House seat being vacated by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), according to Decision Desk HQ. The two Democrats emerged from a crowded field of 11 candidates in California's nonpartisan jungle primary, where all contenders appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation.
Wiener, a prominent figure in the state legislature since 2017, has built a reputation as a leading voice in the YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) movement, pushing for denser housing development. He also authored legislation to block federal law enforcement from wearing masks. His campaign has drawn support from California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several Democratic House members, including Reps. Josh Harder, Sam Liccardo, Laura Friedman, and Scott Peters. The California Democratic Party has also endorsed Wiener.
Chan, who has served as a San Francisco supervisor since 2021, previously worked as an aide to then-San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris. She has secured the backing of Pelosi herself, a powerful endorsement in this deep-blue district. Other major California Democrats supporting Chan include Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs the state's congressional delegation.
The contest is taking place in a district that strongly leans Democratic; Pelosi's seat voted for Harris by a 68-point margin in 2024, according to The Downballot. This dynamic all but guarantees that the eventual winner will be a Democrat, but the primary outcome sets up a clear ideological contrast between the two candidates.
Wiener's YIMBY advocacy has made him a polarizing figure among housing activists, but it also aligns with broader state-level efforts to address California's housing crisis. Chan, meanwhile, has emphasized her experience in local government and her ties to Pelosi and Harris, positioning herself as a continuity candidate.
The November election will be closely watched as a bellwether for the direction of San Francisco's political representation, especially given the city's ongoing struggles with homelessness, drug addiction, and public safety. The race also highlights the influence of Pelosi's endorsement in a district where she has held sway for decades.
California's primary system has already produced several other notable matchups, including in the redrawn 40th District where Calvert and Kim are headed for a showdown, and in the 38th District where redistricting has reshaped the race. The state's slow mail ballot counting has also drawn attention, with results in some contests stretching into the following week.
