California Rep. Nancy Pelosi has made her choice for who should succeed her in Congress.
The longtime congresswoman endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan on Monday in the race for the former House speaker’s seat.
Pelosi gave the nod to Chan over progressive Saikat Chakrabarti and California state Sen. Scott Weiner.
“I know this district, I know the Congress, and I know Connie,” Pelosi said in a short clip showing her seated next to Chan. “I’m proud to endorse Connie Chan, and I ask you to join me in electing her to Congress.”
The endorsement is significant for Chan, who has served on the city’s Board of Supervisors since 2021 and who is trailing Weiner and Chakrabarti in several polls.
Pelosi has held the seat for nearly 40 years and announced her retirement in November of last year.
The former House Speaker avoided making her preference known for months, choosing her preferred candidate only before the June 2 primary.
“Connie Chan is the leader best prepared to carry forward the fight for San Francisco in the Congress of the United States,” Pelosi said on Monday. “At a time when fundamental freedoms and democratic values are under assault, we need a leader in Congress who is prepared to fight — forcefully and effectively.”
Pelosi, one of the oldest members of Congress at age 86, will officially exit office in January 2027.
Chakrabarti, who has faced headwinds with no endorsement from his former boss, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, mocked the nod. He said he’ll win with his field operation, not endorsements or corporate PACs.
“That’s how we’re going to win this thing, not because of corporate PACs or establishment endorsements but through the support of San Franciscans,” he said.
Chan, born in Hong Kong, said she was proud to be endorsed by Pelosi.
“I remember seeing San Francisco for the first time when I was 13 years old. I did not speak a word of English but I had heard this was a sanctuary city where anything was possible,” she said in a statement. “Today, to be endorsed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to follow her in Congress — I know that is true. That’s San Francisco and that is the city we are fighting for.”
