Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ignited a firestorm across San Francisco’s political landscape after endorsing Supervisor Connie Chan for Congress, drawing sharp criticism from moderates, progressives, and tech leaders who accuse the 86-year-old of being disconnected from the city’s urgent needs.
Housing Activists Condemn Progressive Pick
Pelosi’s decision to back Chan sparked immediate outrage from housing advocates who point to the supervisor’s track record of blocking development projects. Investor Sheel Mohnot called Chan the opposite of an abundance candidate, highlighting her opposition to the recall of controversial District Attorney Chesa Boudin and her votes against streamlining permits. Pro-housing activist Daniel Owens went further, claiming Pelosi lacks deep understanding of local San Francisco issues and has grown disconnected from the city’s culture after decades focused on national politics in Washington.
The endorsement video featured Pelosi declaring her knowledge of the district and Congress, stating she was proud to support Chan. But reactions suggested the former speaker may have misjudged her hometown’s current political mood, with criticism coming from unexpected corners of the deep-blue city’s spectrum.
Family Politics and Identity Debates
Political observers speculated the endorsement stems from personal friction rather than policy alignment. Tech investor Kim-Mai Cutler suggested Pelosi remains angry that state Senator Scott Wiener blocked her daughter Christine from running for his Sacramento seat after he announced exploratory plans for the congressional race in 2023. Wiener now leads the congressional primary with roughly 40 percent support, while Chan and candidate Saikat Chakrabarti tie for second at 20 percent each.
Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan accused Chan of using identity politics to mask harmful progressive policies, arguing San Francisco has produced politicians who virtue signal while hurting the Asian American community. Chakrabarti, who served as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff but failed to secure her endorsement, dismissed Pelosi’s backing as establishment politics that voters would ultimately reject.
What This Means
The June 2 primary will test whether Pelosi’s political influence still resonates in San Francisco or if her four-decade congressional career has left her out of touch with a city demanding change. Wiener’s commanding lead suggests voters prioritize housing solutions and pragmatic governance over traditional establishment endorsements. The backlash reveals deep frustration with San Francisco’s political class among residents across ideological lines, signaling potential realignment in one of America’s most liberal cities.