Scott Wiener’s Comments on Progressivism and Jewish Candidates

During a segment of CNN’s “Inside Politics” on Thursday, California State Senator and Democratic U.S. House candidate Scott Wiener remarked that the upcoming year, 2026, may present challenges for progressive Jewish candidates aiming for Congress. He highlighted concerns regarding the targeting of Jewish politicians, stating they are often held to a different standard compared to their non-Jewish counterparts with similar political views.

Wiener addressed his personal experience, recounting the harassment and assault he faced before the Trans March, clarifying that such incidents do not represent the attitudes of the majority of march attendees.

He elaborated on his perspective regarding Israel’s actions, expressing that many residents of San Francisco share his horror over the destruction in Gaza and the displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank. He characterized Israel’s actions as genocidal and stressed the necessity for peace among the 7 million Jews and 7 million Palestinians living in the region. He believes the United States should advocate for peace rather than fund military actions that lead to destruction.

In response to host Dana Bash’s remarks about the harassment he faced and whether his thoughts on the motivations behind it had evolved, Wiener reiterated the difficulties progressive Jews face in politics today. He explained that this kind of targeting has persisted for several years and emphasized that while he welcomes accountability for his actions, the harassment and intimidation targeting specific elected officials, particularly those who are Jewish, must come to an end.