Pelosi’s Retirement Opens Door for New Generation of Democratic Leaders in San Francisco

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision not to seek reelection next year is triggering a political shake-up in San Francisco, where a growing list of contenders is preparing to compete for one of the nation’s safest Democratic seats.

Pelosi, who has served in Congress since 1987, announced Thursday she will not run again — a move that opens the door to a new generation of Democratic leaders. Already, several prominent names are surfacing.

Among them is Saikat Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and one of the architects of the Green New Deal. The tech millionaire and founding engineer at Stripe launched his campaign earlier this year, calling for fresh leadership and a more progressive vision for the party. “It’s a continuation of her leadership, to actually step down from power,” Chakrabarti said of Pelosi’s retirement.

Also in the race is California State Sen. Scott Wiener, a longtime advocate for housing reform and LGBTQ rights. He has already built a strong fundraising operation, bringing in more than $730,000 on his first day as a candidate. Wiener said the timing of Pelosi’s decision and the entry of a self-funded rival like Chakrabarti pushed him to jump in early.

Other potential candidates include San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, a Pelosi ally who could attract support from progressives and labor groups, and former Mayor London Breed, who told Politico she is “exploring” a run. Political observers say Pelosi’s daughter, attorney Christine Pelosi, could also enter the race — and her mother’s endorsement would instantly make her a frontrunner.

With California’s filing period set to open early next year, the race to replace Pelosi promises to be one of the most closely watched contests in the country. As strategist Dan Newman told CNN, “If Nancy picked somebody off the street, that gives them a little bit of instant credibility.”

Credit: CNN Newsource

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.