San Francisco’s political scene just got a jolt! Connie Chan, famed for shaking things up on the city’s Board of Supervisors, has thrown her hat in the ring for Nancy Pelosi’s soon-to-be-vacant House seat. The announcement, delivered on Thursday, positions Chan—age 47—as the champion of ordinary San Franciscans locked out of power by big money.
With Pelosi officially stepping down after a legendary 40-year run, the city’s congressional showdown is already turning into a high-stakes tussle. Chan unleashed a punchy two-minute video on social media, rallying her base with pointed remarks: “San Francisco is not a playground for billionaires and insiders,” she proclaimed. “It’s home to working families struggling to make ends meet—and I’m running so their voices are heard in Congress.”
Chan joins a growing list of contenders eager to snatch the prized seat. State Senator Scott Wiener, renowned for his fierce advocacy for housing reform and LGBTQ+ issues, is in the race. So is tech veteran Saikat Chakrabarti, a former key aide to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who’s packing plenty of Silicon Valley cash. Notably, Pelosi herself has kept mum on endorsements so far, refusing to tilt the scales for any candidate.
Chan’s campaign video throws a respectful nod to Pelosi, showing a snapshot of the two and underscoring her commitment to the Democratic icon’s legacy. Narrating over their photo, Chan pays tribute, declaring: “I’m here thanks to the trailblazers who fought before me.”
Backstory? Chan’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Hong Kong, she touched down in San Francisco at 13 with her mother and brother, making a humble start in a cramped Chinatown apartment. Fast-forward decades, and she’s carved a prominent place in politics, becoming a strong voice for labor unions and progressive causes. Her climb to the Board of Supervisors in 2020 was a nail-biter, eking out victory over a close rival tied to then-Mayor London Breed. Come 2024, she sailed to re-election—with Pelosi’s stamp of approval.
If Chan emerges victorious, she’d earn the distinction of being the first Asian American to represent San Francisco in Congress—a milestone for the city’s diverse communities. In her campaign video, she doesn’t pull punches: slamming “phony Sacramento housing deals” and drawing a line between herself and tech moguls. The subtle swipe lands squarely at Chakrabarti’s deep pockets, emphasizing her rejection of corporate influence.
“I’m not a tech tycoon,” Chan says with candor. “I’m a working mom making lunches for my kid—not for corporate fat cats.”
And in a recent twist, Mayor Breed has officially bowed out of the contest, clearing the stage for this explosive battle for Pelosi’s legacy. San Francisco, the race is on.
