San Francisco’s political landscape is poised for a historic transition as State Senator Scott Wiener, a well-known advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, secures the backing of five of the nation’s most prominent LGBTQ+ organizations in his bid to succeed Nancy Pelosi in California’s 11th Congressional District. On December 11, 2025, the Human Rights Campaign PAC, Equality California, Equality PAC, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, and the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus jointly announced their endorsements, marking a significant moment in the race for the seat long held by retiring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
Wiener, a Democrat and openly gay lawmaker, has spent nine years in the California Legislature and previously served on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, representing Harvey Milk’s district—a symbolic nod to the city’s rich LGBTQ+ history. His campaign has quickly become a rallying point for equality voters and advocates alike, especially as the district remains one of the most reliably Democratic in the nation. According to The Advocate, this wave of support comes at a time when, as many advocates put it, the community’s rights and freedoms are perceived to be under renewed attack.
“With our lives under attack from the MAGA regime, the LGBTQ+ community needs to see more of our own in the halls of power unabashedly standing up for our rights and freedoms. Scott Wiener will be a champion in Congress,” said Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), in a statement released alongside the endorsements. She added, “During his time in the California Legislature, he has been relentless in fighting for our community, and he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with the Trump administration and anti-equality forces in Congress to deliver victories for all Californians.”
Wiener’s legislative record is, by all accounts, a driving force behind the outpouring of support. He authored landmark legislation allowing nonbinary Californians to obtain official documents matching their gender identity, spearheaded bills to prevent discrimination based on HIV status, expanded access to PrEP (a medication critical in HIV prevention), and introduced protections for transgender youth seeking health care in California. These efforts have earned him a reputation as one of the country’s most effective and courageous champions for LGBTQ+ equality.
“Scott Wiener is one of the country’s most effective and courageous champions for LGBTQ+ equality—leading efforts to expand access to life-saving medications, protect LGBTQ+ seniors and foster youth, and make California a refuge for transgender young people and their families,” said Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California, as reported by The Advocate and confirmed by HRC’s press release. “At a time of unprecedented attacks on our community from the Trump Administration, his unwavering commitment to equality and unparalleled record of fighting for our communities are exactly what we need in Washington. His leadership is what San Francisco deserves in Congress, and we are proud to endorse his campaign.”
With Pelosi’s retirement after nearly four decades representing the district—since 1987, to be exact—the race has drawn a crowded field. Alongside Wiener, Democratic contenders include Connie Chan, a current member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech executive linked to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2016 campaign; Cole Bettles, a nonprofit staffer; Darren Helton, a tech executive; Daniel Wheeler, a lawyer; and Jingchao Xiong, a social management scientist. Republican David Ganezer, publisher of an alternative newspaper, is also vying for the seat. In California’s open primary system, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to the general election, with the primary set for June 2, 2026, and the general election on November 3, 2026.
Equality PAC’s Executive Director, Jeff Larivee, underscored the stakes, stating, “As Republicans continue to erase the voices of LGBTQ Americans, it is critical that we elect strong LGBTQ advocates like Scott Wiener who will never waver in the face of bigotry and intolerance. With the retirement of Speaker Pelosi, a defining voice in the House, we must continue to elect a new generation of leaders rooted in justice, representation, and resilience.”
Wiener’s impact extends beyond the legislature. Evan Low, President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and a former California legislator, highlighted Wiener’s work on marriage equality and the repeal of Proposition 8, a measure that once banned same-sex marriage in California and, despite being unenforceable, remained on the books for years. “Few leaders have fought harder for LGBTQ+ rights in California than State Sen. Scott Wiener—and now he’s taking that fight to Congress,” Low said. “For over 15 years, Scott has delivered results at the local and state level, championing equality, safety, and health for all. Electing Scott means sending a proven leader to Washington with the courage and track record to stop the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights. Our caucus will be stronger when Scott joins us in the U.S. House in 2026.”
Assemblymember Chris Ward, chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, echoed these sentiments, calling Wiener “the community’s greatest legislative champion.” Ward cited Wiener’s role in expanding access to HIV care, strengthening rights for seniors and youth, and trailblazing access to IDs for nonbinary people. “He has done it all and never backed down. His courageous leadership and proven track record of delivering for our community are needed in Congress now more than ever as right-wing forces continue to target LGBTQ+ people with bigotry and hatred.”
Wiener himself responded to the flood of endorsements with a sense of humility and resolve. “The support for our campaign from the LGBTQ community has been overwhelming, and I’m humbled to receive endorsements from the organizations leading our fight for equality. This community means so much to me, and I will never stop fighting to defend and uplift it. As MAGA continues to scapegoat and vilify LGBTQ people for the simple, revolutionary act of living authentically, we’ll continue to show the world what resilience looks like. As San Francisco’s next member of Congress, I will fight relentlessly to ensure every LGBTQ person has the protections and support they need to live openly with pride.”
This groundswell of institutional support is not happening in a vacuum. The Human Rights Campaign PAC, for example, has a long-standing presence in California, mobilizing what it calls “Equality Voters”—a diverse and powerful voting bloc united by support for LGBTQ+ equality. According to HRC, these voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, and the organization’s brand is widely recognized and trusted. HRC has invested heavily in the state, with staff on the ground dedicated to electing pro-equality champions “up and down the ballot.”
As the primary approaches, the spotlight will remain on Wiener’s record and the coalition rallying behind him. The endorsements, announced on December 11, 2025, signal a clear intent from LGBTQ+ organizations to ensure that Pelosi’s successor continues her legacy of advocacy and representation. With the political climate as charged as ever, the outcome of this race could have ripple effects far beyond San Francisco, shaping the fight for equality on the national stage.
For many in the community and their allies, the question isn’t just who will fill Pelosi’s shoes, but who will carry forward the torch of progress in an era of heightened polarization. As the campaign heats up, all eyes are on San Francisco—and on Scott Wiener’s next steps.