Candidates hoping to gain the support of Nancy Pelosi in the upcoming primary should perhaps temper their expectations. The longtime congresswoman from San Francisco has made it clear that she doesn’t plan to endorse any of the front-runners, which include state Sen. Scott Wiener, City Supervisor Connie Chan, and wealthy progressive Saikat Chakrabarti.
Pelosi has not publicly elaborated on her reasoning for remaining neutral, and her office has declined to comment. However, they did mention last year that an endorsement was “not the current plan.”
Chan, who has shown strong support for labor, met with Pelosi recently in her D.C. office and expressed disappointment about not receiving an endorsement. In an interview, she acknowledged the expectation for support while simultaneously confirming her desire for the backing: “I certainly wanted that… If I didn’t say, ‘Yes, I was expecting support,’ people would think, ‘Obviously she’s not being honest.’”
Insiders suggest that support for Chan is limited; she had raised only $460,000 by the end of March, which makes it challenging to compete effectively.
Political analyst David Ratterman weighed in, downplaying funding concerns for Chan. He noted that Wiener’s formation of an exploratory committee in 2023 was a trigger for Pelosi’s decision to step back from the race. She formally announced her plan to retire at the end of her term last November.
Ratterman remarked, “It’s clear that Ms. Pelosi is not satisfied with this outcome,” questioning why she didn’t endorse Chan much earlier in the race.
A recent poll from Wiener’s campaign revealed him leading significantly with 40% support, while Chakrabarti and Chan followed closely behind in the mid-teens.
Chakrabarti, whose previous boss, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has also distanced herself from him, has invested nearly $5 million of his own funds to boost his visibility, even engaging in controversial conversations with influential figures.
Looking ahead, Pelosi may find herself choosing sides, especially following criticism from Chakrabarti, who is close in age to her at 86.
Some analysts see uncertainty
Jason McDaniel, a political science professor, suggested it’s difficult to pinpoint what’s causing the lack of backing for Pelosi’s successor. “It may be a sense of fairness, wanting to avoid appearing biased in choosing her replacement,” he speculated. “However, it seems more likely that she believes that none of the candidates meet her criteria for support.”
Wiener, with over $3.5 million raised, holds an influential position in the state Senate, leading much of the local Democratic organizational strategy.
The potential for restoring relationships is there, and some believe Pelosi might eventually endorse Wiener after deliberation.
There’s also the consideration that an endorsement now could backfire, diminishing its weight if the chosen candidate falters in the race.
“If Ms. Pelosi now supports Ms. Chan and she comes in a distant third place, what’s her standing?” Ratterman pointed out. “Wiener and Chakrabarti wouldn’t have to heed her opinion, and any influence she had would certainly diminish.”
Amidst all this, Pelosi, recognized as a skilled negotiator among Democrats and a formidable opponent to Republicans, has about seven months remaining in her term. Even as she navigates this politically tricky period, there’s still an opportunity to make a significant move before she turns her attention to other interests.
