SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Democrats Scott Wiener and Connie Chan will compete in November's general election for the congressional seat long held by Nancy Pelosi, after the two finished first and second in Tuesday's top-two primary.
Pelosi, 85, is expected to announce her plans for 2026 following a Nov. 4 special election, according to an adviser. Progressives in the city are increasingly speculating that she will retire from Congress, triggering a major power transfer within the Democratic Party.
Pelosi shaped the Democratic Party's direction for two decades as speaker. She pushed President Joe Biden to end his 2024 reelection bid, demonstrating her enduring influence over high-stakes decisions.
She has shown no affinity for Wiener. His yearlong preparation to run for the seat—and his decision to launch his campaign weeks before Pelosi announced her retirement last fall—reportedly frustrated those in her inner circle.
Chan appears aligned with Pelosi in the succession fight. Her advancement from the primary suggests she has the backing of a district historically loyal to Pelosi's political operation.
Adding another layer to the power dynamics, Pelosi's daughter, Christine Pelosi, is running for the state Senate seat currently held by Wiener, intertwining the congressional race with a key state legislative contest.
The race for Pelosi's seat is one of several contests reshaping the 2026 midterm map as long-serving members step aside. The outcome will determine who holds one of the safest Democratic seats in the country and who inherits influence inside the House Democratic Caucus.
