San Francisco voters in the heavily Democratic CA‑11 district received a candid glimpse into the personalities of their two leading congressional hopefuls this week. The local “Meet the Candidates” series asked each contender to name one area where their opponent excels and to point out an achievement they respect.
Supervisor Connie Chan on Scott Wiener
Chan, a 47‑year‑old District 1 supervisor who has lived in the city since age 13, praised Wiener’s fundraising skill. “Scott would probably be better at fundraising in Congress,” she said, adding that she admires his ability to consistently draw attention to his agenda.
Chan’s endorsement list reads like a roll call of establishment Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Adam Schiff, Congressman Ro Khanna, the California Federation of Labor, SEIU California, the San Francisco Labor Council and the Working Families Party.
State Senator Scott Wiener on Connie Chan
Wiener, a 56‑year‑old state senator, returned the compliment by noting Chan’s relationship‑building with the D.C. establishment. He highlighted her success in raising significant donations from lobbyists and her collaboration with Mayor London Lurie on the city budget, saying, “I appreciate that Supervisor Chan has worked with Mayor Lurie on the budget. I know how important that collaboration is.”
Wiener’s endorsements come from a mix of progressive and local interest groups, including the California Democratic Party, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sierra Club, San Francisco YIMBY, Grow SF, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, the North Coast States Carpenters Union and activist Dolores Huerta.
What the answers reveal
Both candidates framed their opponent’s strengths in terms of practical political skills—fundraising and coalition‑building—rather than ideological battles. Chan’s focus on fundraising underscores the importance of cash in modern campaigns, while Wiener’s emphasis on budget collaboration reflects the day‑to‑day concerns of San Franciscans who rely on city services.
The exchange also highlights the divergent endorsement bases. Chan leans heavily on long‑standing Democratic power brokers, whereas Wiener draws support from a broader coalition of progressive policy groups and local advocacy organizations. Voters can use these clues to gauge which style of representation they prefer in Washington.
How to get involved
Election Day is set for November 3, 2026. Residents can register to vote through the official sf.gov website. For those who want to ask additional questions of the candidates, the series invites email inquiries to [email protected] or [email protected].
As the race progresses, the Meet the Candidates series will continue to publish short, candid responses from each contender, giving San Franciscans a clearer picture of the personalities and priorities that will shape their representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
