SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — In a move that could reshape California’s political landscape, state Sen. Scott Wiener is preparing to run for the U.S. House seat currently held by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. The decision marks a bold step by one of California’s most prominent Democratic lawmakers and signals a potential generational shift in San Francisco politics.
According to sources close to Wiener, the senator has informed allies that he will officially enter the 2026 race for California’s 11th Congressional District. A formal campaign announcement is expected next week.
Wiener, a former San Francisco supervisor and one of the state’s most prolific Democratic legislators, had previously said he would wait until Pelosi retired. But with Pelosi, 85, remaining undecided about seeking a 21st term, Wiener appears ready to move forward.
“I’ve been preparing and raising money for whenever the race starts,” Wiener said in a text message Wednesday. His exploratory committee has already raised about $1 million, according to campaign filings.
Pelosi’s office responded to news of Wiener’s plans with a statement from spokesperson Ian Krager. He said the longtime congresswoman is focused on California’s Nov. 4 special election to pass Proposition 50, a measure backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to help Democrats win back five House seats.
“Speaker Pelosi is fully focused on her mission to win the ‘Yes on 50’ special election in California on the path to taking back the House for the Democrats,” Krager said.
Pelosi, who first won her seat in 1987, has not confirmed whether she will run again. Her decision will play a major role in shaping the 2026 race, which already appears to be drawing strong challengers.
Wiener’s move comes as progressive candidate Saikat Chakrabarti gains traction among younger and more liberal voters. Chakrabarti, a former campaign manager and chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has drawn large crowds at his San Francisco events.
His campaign recently released a poll showing 65% of voters believe the city needs new leadership in Congress. The poll also found that 51% of Pelosi’s own supporters think it’s time for a change.
“The Democratic Party needs a new kind of leader who is not a part of the establishment, because the establishment has failed us,” Chakrabarti said in a statement to The Standard.
Sources close to Wiener said the poll results were a wake-up call. They showed that Pelosi’s once-solid support may be slipping and that momentum is building for new voices in San Francisco politics.
A separate EMC Research poll of 500 registered voters found that 51% preferred to elect someone other than Pelosi in 2026. Among potential candidates, Wiener had the highest favorability rating at 61%. Pelosi’s daughter, Christine Pelosi, along with Supervisor Connie Chan and Chakrabarti, all trailed behind.
“The majority of the electorate has no idea who [Chakrabarti] is, and momentum can build quickly,” one Democratic strategist said. “People are hungry for something different. There is a sense that the time has come for other candidates to run.”
Scott Wiener, who is openly gay, has built a reputation as a strong, results-driven lawmaker. Since joining the state Senate in 2016, he has become known for his work on housing, transportation, and LGBTQ+ rights. He has also championed YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) housing bills aimed at addressing California’s housing crisis.
This year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several of Wiener’s major bills, including legislation to expand affordable housing, improve transit systems, and regulate artificial intelligence.
In a December 2024 op-ed, Wiener urged Democrats to focus on solving everyday affordability challenges. “The success of the state depends on our ability to lower the most important costs facing households everywhere — child care, healthcare, energy, transportation, and, most of all, housing,” he wrote.
