State Sen. Scott Wiener has taken an early lead over San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan in the race to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in California's 11th Congressional District. As of Wednesday morning, with more than half of the ballots counted, Wiener held 55.4% of the vote compared to Chan's 44.6%.
Wiener was trailing Chan by at least 17,100 votes, according to preliminary results. Speaking at his election night party, Wiener expressed confidence in his win, stating, "Tonight San Francisco voted for results." He also reflected on his journey to the city, noting that if he wins, he would be San Francisco’s first openly gay man in Congress.
Chan, who received the endorsement of Pelosi, maintained hope that the vote count could still shift in her favor. "We are proud and we have every reason to keep our heads high," she reportedly said. "Look at what you made possible. Working people came together, took on extraordinary spending, and made their voices heard."
Pelosi's endorsement of Chan was seen as a move that helped Chan secure a spot in the general election, but it did not appear to significantly sway voters away from Wiener, who garnered support from pro-housing advocates, tech executives, and LGBTQ organizations. Chan's campaign focused on progressive groups, labor unions, and Chinese communities.
Wiener and Pelosi have reportedly had a strained relationship since Wiener expressed interest in Pelosi's seat. Pelosi, who held the district for 40 years before announcing her retirement, stated that she endorsed Chan to support more women in Congress.
Both candidates acknowledged Pelosi's significant role in San Francisco politics. Chan thanked Pelosi for her endorsement, while Wiener referred to her as "the greatest speaker in modern American history."