San Francisco – During a Saturday afternoon gathering in the Mission District titled “Women for Connie Chan,” Christine Pelosi made it clear she has no intention of running against Supervisor Connie Chan for Congress. Speaking to Chan, donors and a few dozen supporters, Pelosi said, “I’m running for state senate. I’m not running against you, ever, so let’s just be clear.”
Rumors Prompted the Statement
The remarks came in response to persistent speculation that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement of Chan was a strategic move to keep the seat warm for her daughter, Christine. The rumor gained traction after the May 18 endorsement and resurfaced in the San Francisco Chronicle’s recent endorsement of Senator Scott Wiener, which suggested that the elder Pelosi might be positioning her daughter for a future congressional run.
Christine Pelosi dismissed the theory, calling it “cockamamie.” She added, “They have all sorts of crazy things that they come up with because they can’t really understand where all your momentum is coming from. But we know where it is. Labor knows where it is, the community that believes in you knows where the momentum is coming from. It’s coming from the people.”
Chan’s Campaign Responds
Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Chan’s campaign, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Connie’s focus is on San Francisco working families who deserve better than the baseless conspiracy theories of Scott Wiener’s desperate campaign.” The campaign emphasized Chan’s commitment to serving the city’s families and dismissed the rumors as unfounded.
Background on the Endorsement
Since endorsing Chan two weeks before the June primary, Nancy Pelosi has actively supported her handpicked successor. The Speaker Emerita has hosted fundraisers, secured additional endorsements and even sent a trusted aide to bolster Chan’s campaign. At an August fundraiser in Chinatown, Pelosi said, “We want it to be a nice big victory for Connie Chan for Congress of the United States.”
The Saturday event also featured local supervisors Jackie Fielder, Chyanne Chen and former supervisor Sophie Maxwell, underscoring the broad local political backing for Chan.
Implications for the Upcoming Election
While the rumor mill continues to churn, the clear message from Christine Pelosi is that she will focus on a state senate bid rather than a congressional challenge. This clarification may help settle voter confusion ahead of the June primary, allowing constituents to concentrate on the candidates officially in the race.
For residents of San Francisco’s Mission District and the broader city, the event highlighted the importance of local political engagement and the role of community support in shaping electoral outcomes.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
