San Francisco’s political arena is about to become a battleground as State Sen. Scott Wiener prepares to challenge the legendary Nancy Pelosi for her congressional seat.
In a stunning turn of events, Wiener, a Democrat often seen as moderate by Bay Area standards, is poised to announce his campaign next week, squaring off against the 85-year-old former Speaker of the House and another formidable contender, Saikat Chakrabarti.
For years, Wiener played the patient game, previously stating he’d wait for Pelosi to retire before making a move for her seat.
But patience seems to have run out, and his abrupt entry into the race—before Pelosi has even confirmed whether she’ll run again in 2026—signals a seismic shift in a reliably blue district.
Pelosi, who stepped down as Speaker in 2022, now faces not one but two challengers with deep pockets and serious fundraising potential, which could nudge her toward retirement.
On the other side of the ring is Chakrabarti, a wealthy former tech exec who once served as chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez before leaving under a cloud of controversy over ethical concerns and sharp comments comparing the Congressional Black Caucus to segregationists.
Wiener’s candidacy, at age 55, alongside Chakrabarti, underscores a generational rift within the Democratic Party, pitting the old guard and Pelosi’s loyal megadonors against younger activists hungry for change.
This clash isn’t just about age—it’s about ideology, with San Francisco’s recent pushback against far-left policies in recalls and last year’s mayoral race potentially giving Pelosi an edge if the vote splits between her challengers.
Still, Wiener’s track record in Sacramento raises eyebrows with a string of polarizing laws that could either energize or alienate voters.
From a mask ban criticized for targeting ICE agents to a repealed loitering decriminalization law linked to a rise in child prostitution, Wiener’s policies often spark heated debate.
He’s also behind a transgender “sanctuary state” measure encouraging minors to seek medical treatments in California, and a law softening penalties for certain statutory rape cases when ages are close—moves many conservatives see as dangerously progressive.
Then there’s SB 79, overriding local zoning to push high-rise developments near transit hubs, which some argue tramples on community control in the name of urban density.
Wiener isn’t shy about picking fights online, repeatedly labeling President Donald Trump a “fascist” even after serious incidents like Trump surviving assassination attempts, a stance that might not sit well with voters craving less divisive rhetoric.
Yet, in a twist, he breaks from the far-left crowd by staunchly defending Israel’s right to exist against antisemitic attacks from his own radical base—a position that could win over moderates in a fractious party.
As this primary battle heats up, Pelosi might just be the one chuckling quietly, watching her two challengers split the anti-establishment vote while she defends the traditional liberal order in a city that’s lately shown a taste for moderation.
