The candidate former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed to succeed her as San Francisco’s representative in Congress lost her race to another Democrat.
Ms. Pelosi is retiring after a nearly 40-year congressional career, which included making history as the House’s first woman speaker.
She endorsed Connie Chan, who serves on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and was an aide to Kamala Harris during her tenure as California’s attorney general, to take over her congressional seat.
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Ms. Chan conceded the California 11th Congressional District contest to state Sen. Scott Wiener on Wednesday. The two Democrats made it out of the state’s jungle primary system to face off in the general.
The race had yet to be officially called as of Thursday morning, but Mr. Wiener was leading by double digits.
Ms. Chan said she expects the margin to narrow as additional returns come in, but she does not have a clear path to victory. She issued a statement congratulating Mr. Wiener, thanking her supporters and expressing gratitude to Ms. Pelosi.
“This election has ended, but our movement and our commitment to one another carries forward,” Ms. Chan said.
Ms. Pelosi said she was proud of Ms. Chan’s campaign, noting she showed “courage, conviction and a deep love for San Francisco.”
“As a working mom, a public servant, and an immigrant, she gave voice to families whose struggles she knows firsthand,” the retiring congresswoman said in a statement.
Ms. Pelosi also congratulated Mr. Wiener and said her office stands ready to assist him in the transition.
“I wish him success in service for the people of our city,” she said.
Mr. Wiener thanked Ms. Chan “for a spirited and hard-fought campaign” and praised Ms. Pelosi, despite her not endorsing him.
“I’m humbled to carry forward the powerful legacy of this seat — Phil Burton, Sala Burton, and the greatest Speaker in modern American history, Nancy Pelosi,” he said on social media. “Speaker Pelosi came to Congress to fight AIDS when too many wanted to look away, and she never stopped fighting for our city and our country.”
Mr. Wiener called his victory “historic,” as he will be the first LGBTQ person to represent San Francisco or any part of Northern California.
“San Franciscans voted for results, and we have so much work ahead: Building the millions of homes we need; moving toward true universal health care; investing in clean energy, public transit, and high-speed rail; standing up for science, education, and immigrants; making sure people — not massive corporations — decide what works for this country, including on AI; and ensuring the rule of law applies to everyone, including the President,” he said.
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