Wiener set to replace Pelosi in San Francisco as Chan concedes

Derek Wallbank, Bloomberg News on Nov 4, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

California state lawmaker Scott Wiener appears to have defeated Representative Nancy Pelosi’s handpicked successor in her San Francisco congressional district.

Democrat Connie Chan said she does not have a “clear path to victory” in California’s 11th Congressional District, conceding defeat in a post on X. “I congratulate Scott Wiener on his election,” she said.

Pelosi, the 86-year-old former House speaker, is retiring from Congress when her term ends in early January.

“San Franciscans voted for results, and we have so much work ahead,” Wiener said in a post on X, listing homebuilding and “making sure people — not massive corporations — decide what works for this country, including on AI” among his priorities.

The Democrat vs Democrat contest split local power brokers. While Pelosi backed Chan, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and California Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed Wiener instead. The candidates, both progressive Democrats, have clashed over housing policy and artificial intelligence — resonant issues in a city that has seen an infusion of investment from the AI boom but is also one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S.

The Associated Press and television networks have yet to make a call in the race. Wiener led by about 11 percentage points with 57% of the estimated vote in as of 5:30 p.m. local time Wednesday, according to an AP tally. It’s not yet clear what the final electoral composition will be in the race, as under California’s postal-reliant election system ballots can be received up to a week late if postmarked by Election Day.

____

(With assistance from Natalie Choy.)