Pelosi’s Potential Exit Sparks Succession Battle in San Francisco Democrats

By John Gizzi
Tuesday, 04 November 2025 07:21 AM EST

Assuming reports from San Francisco are accurate and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will soon announce her retirement from Congress, it is inevitable that a fierce contest will unfold among San Francisco Democrats to succeed the only woman to have served as Speaker of the House and the second-longest serving woman in U.S. House history.

However, the notion that Pelosi, a revered figure among liberals, can unilaterally select a successor appears unlikely, according to multiple California sources. Jon Fleischman, editor of Flash Report on California politics, noted that Pelosi may have delayed her decision too long and is no longer as popular with progressives in the city. “It’s unclear if she still holds the influence to pass the baton to a preferred candidate,” he said.

Before Pelosi’s anticipated exit, two prominent challengers already emerged in the Golden State’s 11th District. State Sen. Scott Wiener, a gay leader of the Senate Jewish Caucus, advocated for leftist legislation in Sacramento. Meanwhile, Saikat Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, campaigned with backing from Indian-American entrepreneurs.

San Francisco City Supervisor Connie Chan, a 47-year-old progressive advocate, is also poised to enter the race. She has championed initiatives such as a city-run public bank and extended pandemic benefits. Chan reportedly enjoys endorsements from Kamala Harris, who previously worked with her as San Francisco district attorney, as well as Pelosi herself.

Despite these advantages, Chan faces an uphill battle in the “jungle primary,” where all candidates, regardless of party, compete on the same ballot. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two would face a November runoff.