Scott Wiener Wins Pelosi's Congressional Seat as Chan Concedes

California state Sen. Scott Wiener has secured San Francisco's 11th Congressional District seat after Supervisor Connie Chan conceded defeat on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The Democratic contest to succeed Nancy Pelosi ended with Wiener leading 55.5% to 44.5%, according to the latest election results.

Election figures published by The New York Times showed Wiener receiving 97,876 votes, compared with Chan's 78,594, out of 176,470 reported votes. Approximately 60% of San Francisco's expected ballots had been counted when Chan announced her withdrawal.

Wiener will represent San Francisco in the US House of Representatives, with his congressional term scheduled to begin January 3, 2027. The contest marked the city's first competitive congressional election in nearly four decades.

Chan explained that the remaining ballots were unlikely to reverse the outcome, even though she anticipated a narrower final margin.

"After reviewing the results and the ballots remaining to be counted, while we expect the margin to narrow significantly, we do not have a clear path to victory," Chan said in her concession statement.

She also congratulated her opponent and emphasized her intention to remain involved in local political organizing.

"I congratulate Scott Wiener on his election and wish him success in serving San Francisco. We must keep organizing, holding those in power accountable and bringing more people into the fight," Chan said.

Chan acknowledged Pelosi's endorsement and expressed appreciation for the former House speaker's support throughout the campaign. She also recognized Pelosi's long-standing contribution to San Francisco and national politics.

"extraordinary service that have strengthened San Francisco and our country," Chan said, describing Pelosi's four decades of public service.

Chan also thanked her campaign staff, volunteers, supporters and labor unions for their involvement in the election.

"This election has ended, but our movement and our commitment to one another carries forward," Chan said.

She added that her political involvement would continue beyond the congressional contest.

"I will be right there with you," Chan said.

Wiener welcomed the election outcome and described his victory as an opportunity to continue the district's congressional legacy. He also pointed to the national election results as evidence of renewed Democratic political support.

"humbled to carry forward the powerful legacy of this seat," Wiener said in his victory statement.

He identified several legislative priorities, including housing affordability, universal health care, artificial intelligence regulation and political accountability.

Wiener referred to the national results as a "mandate for Democrats in Congress" and identified the "threat of artificial intelligence" as an important policy challenge. He also pledged to hold "Trump and his cronies accountable."

The incoming congressman acknowledged Chan's campaign and their disagreements over policy, while emphasizing their shared attachment to the city.

"I want to thank Supervisor Connie Chan for a spirited and hard-fought campaign. We've had our disagreements, but we share a deep love for San Francisco and for our country," Wiener said.

Pelosi, who endorsed Chan during the campaign, praised the supervisor's commitment to the city while congratulating Wiener on his victory. Her office also offered assistance with the congressional transition.

Pelosi said Chan "brought courage, conviction and a deep love" of San Francisco to the campaign. She also said her office was "ready to assist in the transition."

The campaign highlighted substantial differences between the two Democrats, particularly over housing development, land use and public transportation. Wiener represented a more moderate political approach to these local issues, while Chan maintained strong ties to San Francisco's progressive movement.

Chan also challenged Wiener's connections to the technology industry, questioning whether voters should "trust" a candidate receiving substantial financial support from technology workers. She described him as a "corporate Democrat."

Wiener defended his record by pointing to legislation targeting technology companies and his work on artificial intelligence regulation. His campaign received significant financial backing from supporters associated with the technology industry, including a super PAC largely funded by San Francisco-based Anthropic that spent $3.5 million supporting his election.

According to Mission Local, organizations and supporters backing Wiener outspent those supporting Chan by at least $10 million, giving his campaign an approximately four-to-one financial advantage.

Wiener entered the race with an established legislative record. First elected to the California State Senate in 2016, he became known for housing legislation and subsequently advanced proposals addressing artificial intelligence safety.

In 2025, he championed an artificial intelligence safety bill that was among the first legislative efforts of its kind. His campaign argued that support from technology employees reflected workers' willingness to challenge industry leaders over regulation.

Chan built a diverse electoral coalition involving Westside homeowners, Chinese-American voters, progressives, socialists and some Republicans. She maintained support in the Sunset, Outer Richmond and Mission District, but early results indicated that she struggled to dominate traditionally progressive neighborhoods, including Bernal Heights and Haight-Ashbury.

Both candidates supported several similar national policies, including Medicare for All and abolishing ICE. However, their positions on housing, transportation and land-use policy distinguished their campaigns in a city where those issues remain central to local politics.

Chan also drew on her immigrant and working-class background during her campaign. Speaking to supporters at a Mission District theater on election night, she reflected on her mother's immigration to Chinatown approximately three decades earlier.

"someone who speaks with an accent can be a voice for working people," Chan said, describing the significance of her congressional campaign and the support she received.

Wiener previously told Mission Local that he hoped to serve on the House committees responsible for energy and commerce, as well as financial services, after entering Congress.

Chan's concession came shortly after San Francisco's Department of Elections published its latest vote count on Wednesday afternoon, effectively ending the contest for Pelosi's vacant congressional seat.