Nancy Pelosi Endorses Connie Chan for Congress
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has officially backed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan as her successor as she plans to retire from Congress after nearly forty years of service.
In a video shared on Monday, Pelosi sat alongside Chan against a backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge.
“I know and love this district,” Pelosi stated. “I know Congress, and I know Connie.”
She affectionately placed her arm around Chan, adding, “I’m proud to endorse Democrat Connie Chan and invite you to join me in electing her to Congress.”
Pelosi, the first woman to hold the House speaker position, expressed confidence in Chan’s abilities, stating she is “the leader best prepared to carry forward the fight for San Francisco in Congress.”
“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,” she wrote in a letter to constituents in California’s 11th Congressional District, which mainly covers San Francisco.
She went on to emphasize that Chan “understands San Francisco — our values, our diversity, our communities.”
Chan’s campaign platform includes several progressive positions:
- Advocating for a public bank managed by the city of San Francisco
- Supporting the “Union-at-Home” ordinance, which allows tenants to bargain collectively with landlords
- Promoting expanded social services like fare-free public transit and extended food assistance programs
- Commitment to confront the Trump administration’s immigration policies and push for reform to halt “inhuman abuses” by ICE and CBP
- Backing the Green New Deal
- Advocating for “Medicare for All” and restoration of the Affordable Care Act
- Seeking to include coverage for “gender affirming care” in federal health programs and support for “transgender youth” in sports based on their gender identity
- Ensuring funding for Planned Parenthood to provide comprehensive abortion services to many Americans each year
Connie Chan, 47, was born in British Hong Kong, moved to Taiwan at the age of five, and later to San Francisco’s Chinatown when she was thirteen. She earned her degree from the University of California, Davis, majoring in Religious Studies and Classical Chinese.
She started her tenure on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in January 2021 and took on the role of chair of the Budget Committee, where she supported extending COVID-19 related benefits.
Pelosi, now 86, announced her decision to step down in November, confirming she will not seek reelection at the end of her current term in 2027.
Former President Donald Trump commented at the time, “The retirement of Nancy Pelosi is a great thing for America.”
The competitive race for California’s District 11 also features several other Democratic candidates, including scientist John “Gus” Buffler, economic policy strategist Saikat Chakrabarti, business owner Keith Freedman, technology advocate Omed Hamid, civil rights champion Gregory M. Haynes, attorney Marie Hurabiell, and State Senator Scott Wiener, who is currently leading in most polls. On the Republican side, local publisher David Ganezer and social management researcher Jingchao Xiong are running, alongside independent Nathan Deer. The primary election is scheduled for June 2nd.
