On November 7, 2025, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the legendary Democratic leader and longtime Representative from San Francisco, announced she would not seek re-election, closing the book on a nearly 40-year career in the U.S. House. The news, reported by major outlets including Mediaite and The New York Times, sent shockwaves through political circles, not only for the end of an era but for the fierce jockeying already underway to fill her iconic seat.
Pelosi, now 85, has been a fixture in American politics since she first won her district in the heart of San Francisco nearly four decades ago. She shattered glass ceilings in 2003 by becoming the first woman to lead a major party in Congress as Minority Leader, and again in 2007, when she was elected the first female Speaker of the House. Over the years, she led the House Democratic Caucus until 2011, returned as Minority Leader for eight more years, and then took the Speaker’s gavel once more from 2019 to 2023. After stepping down from leadership in favor of a new generation—most notably Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)—she continued to serve, her influence undiminished.
Pelosi’s retirement announcement was met with a mix of reverence and ridicule, reflecting the sharply divided views she inspired. According to Mediaite, Jack Pandol, deputy executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, tweeted, “We finally Fired Pelosi,” recycling a slogan from the GOP’s 2010 campaign, which spent over $65 million on attack ads against her. The response online was swift and biting; critics pointed out the irony of Republicans claiming credit for the voluntary retirement of an 85-year-old Democrat in a deep blue district, especially after suffering heavy losses in the recent election cycle. Many mocked the notion, posting memes and videos lampooning GOP efforts—one popular clip showed people pretending to help subway trains by pushing them, a not-so-subtle jab at the idea that Republicans had any hand in Pelosi’s exit.
But beneath the social media sparring, the real political drama is unfolding in San Francisco, where the contest to succeed Pelosi began heating up even before her official announcement. As The New York Times reported, two candidates had already declared their intentions: State Senator Scott Wiener, a well-known figure in California politics, and Saikat Chakrabarti, a wealthy progressive with roots in the national movement that helped launch Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Wiener, 55, has represented San Francisco in the state senate since 2016 and is recognized for his business-friendly approach and legislative efforts to address California’s housing crisis. As a champion of the YIMBY (“yes in my backyard”) movement, he’s pushed for laws requiring cities to build more housing, aiming to tackle affordability and supply issues that have plagued the Bay Area for years. Wiener is also a prominent LGBTQ advocate; should he prevail, he would become the first openly gay person to represent San Francisco in federal office. “I have long respected Speaker Pelosi’s legacy,” Wiener has stated in public remarks, acknowledging her historic leadership while positioning himself as the next generation ready to carry the city’s values to Washington.
On the other side of the Democratic spectrum is Saikat Chakrabarti, 39, a former chief of staff and campaign manager for Ocasio-Cortez. Chakrabarti made his fortune as an early employee at Stripe, the payment processing giant, and has since devoted himself to progressive causes. His entry into the race is seen by some as a challenge to the Democratic establishment—he famously clashed with party leaders, including Pelosi herself, when he felt they weren’t forceful enough in opposing President Trump. “This isn’t personal,” Chakrabarti told reporters. “I want to restore progressive values in the Democratic Party, and I believe voters are ready for new leadership.” With millions of dollars at his disposal and a campaign machine honed on the national stage, Chakrabarti’s candidacy is already stirring speculation about whether Pelosi’s delayed retirement announcement was, in part, a strategic move to keep him at bay. In a recent CNN interview, Pelosi herself said, “I have no doubt I would win another term if I were to run again.”
The field may grow even more crowded. Just a day after Pelosi’s announcement, word spread that London Breed, the former mayor of San Francisco, was considering a run. Breed, 51, lost her re-election bid in November 2024 to Daniel Lurie, a moderate Democrat and Levi Strauss heir, but remains a formidable presence in city politics. According to The New York Times, Breed is currently commissioning polls to test her viability as a House candidate. Willie Brown, former mayor and mentor to Breed, noted she’s weighing her options carefully, especially given the negative approval ratings she faced at the end of her mayoralty. Breed has told both Politico and The San Francisco Standard that she’s exploring a bid, though she’s yet to make a final decision.
Other potential contenders include Christine Pelosi, the Speaker Emerita’s daughter and a well-known Democratic activist. Christine, 59, has long been rumored as a possible successor and certainly boasts the strongest name recognition in the district. She’s a member of the Democratic National Committee and author of “The Nancy Pelosi Way,” a book about her mother’s leadership style. However, Christine Pelosi has so far declined to confirm her intentions, deflecting questions from the press and not responding to requests for comment in recent days.
Supervisor Connie Chan, 47, who represents the Richmond District and is seen as a close ally of the elder Pelosi, may also join the fray. Chan’s background includes stints in city government and as an aide to both local supervisors and then–District Attorney Kamala Harris. When asked about her plans, Chan’s legislative aide, Robyn Burke, responded, “Today is about honoring Speaker Emerita Pelosi.” The door, it seems, remains open for her possible candidacy.
Whoever wins will represent a district that covers most of San Francisco—a compact city of just 47 square miles but with 532,000 registered voters. The city’s political scene is famously tough, and its leaders have often gone on to national prominence. Pelosi’s seat, then, is not just a congressional district; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of Democratic leadership.
Pelosi’s career has been marked by pivotal moments, from shepherding the Affordable Care Act through Congress to her memorable exit from President Trump’s White House, sunglasses on and head held high—a symbol of defiance that captured the imagination of supporters and critics alike, as noted by The Washington Post. Her departure signals not just the end of an era, but the beginning of a new, unpredictable chapter in San Francisco and national politics.
As the candidates line up and the campaign begins in earnest, all eyes are on San Francisco, where the legacy of one of America’s most consequential political leaders will soon be passed to a new voice—one who must navigate the city’s rough-and-tumble politics, fierce ideological divides, and the ever-watchful gaze of a nation.