Wiener Advances in Race to Succeed Pelosi in San Francisco Congressional Seat

Voters in San Francisco on Tuesday advanced state Sen. Scott Wiener in the race to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in California's 11th Congressional District, CBS News projects. The other candidate to advance has not yet been projected.

Eight Democrats, two Republicans and one no party preference candidate ran to represent the 11th District. The district covers most neighborhoods in San Francisco except for the Excelsior District, Ocean View, Portola and Visitacion Valley.

The top two vote-getters will advance to the November election.

The Democratic field includes economic policy director Saikat Chakrabarti, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan and State Sen. Wiener, along with John "Gus" Buffler, a rocket scientist, small business owner Keith Freedman, technology advocate Omed Hamid, civil rights advocate Gregory Haynes and attorney Marie Hurabiell.

The Republicans running for the seat are newspaper publisher David Ganezer and social management scientist Jingchao Xiong. Nathan Deer, a homeowners' association treasurer, is running under no party preference.

A San Francisco Chronicle poll released in early May found Wiener leading the race with 40 percent, while Chakrabarti and Chan were in a statistical dead heat for second place, at 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively.

Wiener has represented San Francisco and northern San Mateo County in the state Senate since 2016 and has previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. During his time in Sacramento, Wiener authored legislation to expand the supply of housing and ban most law enforcement from wearing face masks, and he proposed a tax measure to fund Bay Area transit. Wiener received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party at its convention in February.

A former software engineer, Chakrabarti entered politics by joining Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign and later became chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Chakrabarti has spent the most money in the race, $8.8 million as of May 13, according to Federal Election Commission data.

Chan was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2020, representing the Richmond District, Sea Cliff, Presidio Terrace and other neighborhoods in the northwestern part of the city. Earlier this month, Chan received Pelosi's endorsement.