Scott Wiener faces Pelosi-backed Connie Chan in succession fight

SAN FRANCISCO — Democrats Scott Wiener and Connie Chan will face off in the race to succeed Nancy Pelosi as San Francisco’s representative in Congress, after finishing first and second in Tuesday’s top-two primary for a coveted House seat that hasn’t been open for nearly 40 years.

Wiener, a prominent state senator, emerged as the front-runner in a crowded Democratic field. Chan, a progressive city supervisor who received Pelosi’s coveted endorsement last month, edged out a third Democrat, Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech engineer who’s been deeply critical of Pelosi and the Democratic Party.

Pelosi, the former speaker who was first elected in 1987, announced late last fall that she would retire from Congress. Her endorsement and support from labor unions helped propel Chan to the No. 2 spot.

Wiener, a moderate Democrat by San Francisco standards, ran on his efforts to address the city’s housing shortage and touted his work on legislation to resist President Donald Trump’s policies.

"Tonight, San Franciscans sent a very clear message," Wiener said in a message to supporters. "San Franciscans are ready for bold leadership, real results, and a new generation of leaders that isn’t afraid to take on the toughest fights facing our country."

Meanwhile, Chan and Chakrabarti battled for the support of more progressive voters, while Chan cast herself as the candidate capable of carrying on Pelosi’s legacy.

Chakrabarti, who poured nearly $10 million of his wealth into the contest, sought to tap into populist energy on the left by casting himself as a political outsider and highlighting his ties to progressive heavyweights like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But he faced a major setback after Ocasio-Cortez, his former boss, refused to endorse him.

"San Franciscans recognize that this is an election, not an auction," Chan told POLITICO during a election night party with union volunteers. "Just because you spend the most money doesn't necessarily mean you're going to win at the ballot box."