California’s 11th District in play: Scott Wiener eyes Pelosi’s seat after 37 years

San Francisco, California – California State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is taking a consequential step toward what could be one of the most closely watched congressional races in the nation, filing paperwork last week to run for the U.S. House seat long held by Nancy Pelosi.

Wiener, a familiar name in state politics, has positioned himself as a likely contender whenever Pelosi decides to leave office. His filing, submitted June 27, signals intent to run in 2028, though he left the door wide open for a 2026 bid if the seat becomes available sooner. Pelosi, who has represented the district since 1987 and remains a towering figure in the Democratic Party, filed her own reelection paperwork for 2026. At 85, however, she has not definitively confirmed she will remain on the ballot.

In statements following the filing, Wiener sought to balance respect for Pelosi’s legacy with a readiness to move forward should she retire. “I’ve been very clear that if and when, whenever the Speaker decides that it’s time to step aside, I’m prepared to run and represent the great city of San Francisco.”

Wiener’s political career has been defined by a mix of bold initiatives and intense controversy. Since winning election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2010, he has made headlines for aggressive housing proposals, efforts to reform drug policy, and social justice measures. Several of those efforts — including bills to overhaul single-family zoning and decriminalize psychedelics — fell short of the governor’s signature, drawing criticism even from within his own party. Still, his electoral record is formidable: he narrowly defeated Jane Kim in 2016, expanded his margin against a Democratic challenger in 2020, and beat a Republican opponent in 2024 by nearly 80 percent.

With Pelosi aging and questions swirling about the future of House Democratic leadership, the groundwork for a fierce primary is already emerging. Wiener currently has about $900,000 in campaign funds ready to deploy, and other challengers are lining up. Saikat Chakrabarti, a former top aide to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has filed to run in 2026, while Christine Pelosi, the former speaker’s daughter, is also rumored to be weighing a bid.

For Wiener, the contest represents more than a shot at higher office. It is an opportunity to bring his brand of progressive — and sometimes polarizing — politics to a national stage, in a city and district that has long set the direction of the Democratic Party.

Should Pelosi step aside, Wiener’s path would still be anything but guaranteed, with formidable rivals and deep-rooted loyalties shaping the future of one of the safest and most symbolically powerful Democratic seats in Congress.