A recent poll indicates that over half of the voters in California’s 11th Congressional District have previously supported Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), yet many now feel it’s time for a change. It seems there’s growing interest in new representation.
Pelosi is up against notable challengers, including Saikat Chakrabarti, a progressive who formerly worked as Chief of Staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
An internal poll from Chakrabarti’s campaign, conducted by Beacon Research and shared with various outlets, revealed that 51% of respondents previously supported Pelosi but now suggest a desire for a shift in leadership.
Additionally, 31% still expressed support for Pelosi, while 14% admitted they had never backed her. This poll is significant considering the 85-year-old Pelosi has announced her intention to run for reelection in 2026, but she has not confirmed her plans to seek her seat again. The ongoing discussion about passing the torch to younger leaders has been prevalent, as some older Democrats contemplate stepping back from reelection next cycle.
This internal vote hints that the dynamics within the Democratic primary in Pelosi’s district may be changing.
In a hypothetical situation featuring Pelosi, Chakrabarti, and Republican David Ganezer, the incumbent received 46% of the preference, while 29% sided with the progressive candidates and 11% supported Ganezer.
Survey participants were provided with information about both candidates. For Chakrabarti, they noted his role in Ocasio-Cortez’s surprising 2018 victory and his involvement in launching the Green New Deal. His background includes serving as technology director for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign and co-founding a justice initiative—all underscoring his 39 years of experience.
Conversely, respondents learned about Pelosi’s extensive history, having been first elected in 1987, becoming the first female Speaker of the House, and holding that position twice.
When asked again about the hypothetical matchup, support shifted toward Chakrabarti, with 44% favoring him, 36% choosing Pelosi, and 11% backing the Republican candidate.
Chakrabarti commented on the situation, reflecting on his experience running the AOC campaign. “Democrats wanted a new leader with fresh ideas, and the current appetite for change is consistent with what I observed back then,” he explained about the poll results.
“This poll validates our approach. When voters learn about our campaign, we see a positive shift,” he added, noting their grassroots efforts and community engagement in San Francisco.
Pelosi, amidst several Democratic challengers, particularly faces tough competition from Chakrabarti in her primary for representing San Francisco. While poll results should be interpreted cautiously, they hint at a potentially shifting landscape for San Francisco’s congressional representation.
The Beacon Research survey was conducted between September 12 and 20, encompassing 600 registered voters in the 11th Congressional District. This sample included 173 live call interviews and 427 text-to-web responses, with a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points, either way.
