Scott Wiener Announces Bid for Pelosi’s Congressional Seat

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Scott Wiener Announces Bid for Pelosi’s Congressional Seat

California State Senator Scott Wiener has officially announced his intention to run for Nancy Pelosi’s Congressional seat in 2026. This decision comes despite his earlier commitment to wait for Pelosi’s retirement before entering the race.

In a statement, Wiener emphasized the need for a leader capable of combating what he describes as “Trump’s extremist agenda.” He stated, “This moment demands backbone and hard work that delivers results and makes people’s lives better.” Wiener brings extensive experience from decades of public service in San Francisco and Sacramento.

Background and Political Experience

Wiener’s political journey began in the 1990s after relocating from New Jersey to San Francisco following his law school graduation. He has a small condo in the Castro District, known for its LGBTQ+ community. Since being elected to the California State Senate in 2016, he has also served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where he represented the same district that Harvey Milk once did.

Throughout his career, Wiener has earned recognition as an advocate for affordable housing and has taken significant steps in shaping tech regulations and climate policy, as well as advocating for health care reforms and drug regulations.

Wiener’s Campaign Strategy

In a recent interview, Wiener clarified that his previous statement about not running against Pelosi was never a commitment. He expressed concerns about the current national landscape, citing the rise of authoritarianism and pressing local challenges in housing and health care.

Wiener highlighted the urgency of his decision, stating, “This really isn’t about Nancy Pelosi…we’re just a few months out from the filing deadline. And so it was time to enter the race.”

Challenges Ahead

  • Pelosi has held her seat since 1987 and has not yet confirmed her plans for re-election in 2026.
  • Saikat Chakrabarti, a tech millionaire and former staffer for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has also declared his candidacy.
  • Chakrabarti plans to largely self-fund his campaign, leveraging his wealth from his background as an early programmer for Stripe.

Wiener acknowledged the challenges posed by Chakrabarti’s financial resources, but stressed the importance of local connections in the race. “I’ve never won by writing a big check in my campaign,” he asserted. “I’ve won by working really hard.”

Conclusion

As the race for Pelosi’s seat heats up, Scott Wiener aims to leverage his extensive local knowledge and experience to connect with voters. His campaign will focus on vital issues for San Francisco residents, setting the stage for what could be a highly competitive election cycle in 2026.