After 38 years in Congress, Nancy Pelosi — the first woman Speaker and a fierce LGBTQ+ ally — is stepping aside, creating a rare open seat in one of the nation’s most progressive districts. In a video message, the 85-year-old thanked her hometown. She said, “It was you who made those words come true… San Francisco, know your power. We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so.”
With the district solidly Democratic, three candidates are emerging as frontrunners. Scott Wiener, an out gay state senator, launched his bid in October. A former San Francisco supervisor representing Harvey Milk’s district, he’s known for championing queer protections, including bills strengthening confidentiality for gender-affirming care and sealing gender-transition court records.
Saikat Chakrabarti (Sai- kot, Chakra- bortee) a former tech worker best known for helping elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and drafting the Green New Deal, is also running. His platform includes universal healthcare, affordable housing, banning congressional stock trades, and opposing funding the genocide in Gaza. Connie Chan, a progressive member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, emphasizes community representation.
