California State Senator Scott Wiener has thrown his hat into the ring for Nancy Pelosi's congressional seat, creating buzz for a notable primary in 2026. A well-known critic of former President Trump, Wiener stated his candidacy is a response to San Francisco's need for a voice against the "extremist agenda" and underscored his legislative track record. "San Franciscans deserve a leader who can stand up to Trump's extremist agenda," Wiener said, per CBS News Bay Area.
The announcement came amidst uncertainty over Pelosi's own re-election plans, and punctuates a tenure in the State Senate highlighted by the passing of over 100 laws, including those on housing and healthcare affordability, as mentioned by Senator Scott Wiener in his social media post saying, "I’ve delivered on housing, healthcare, clean energy, and civil rights – and I’ll do it again." The decision to run seems to be fueled by a sense of urgency as the political window of opportunity might not remain open for long; this was echoed by ABC7 News Insider Phil Matier who mused, "I'm not sure if it's a good move or a bad move, but it's the only move he feels that he can make right now," in a segment, identifying that Wiener has now committed the $1 million he's gathered for the race or risk stepping aside while others vie for the influential San Francisco seat; this according to an interview with ABC7 News.
It’s official: I’m running for Congress to represent San Francisco!
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) October 22, 2025
I’ll fight Trump’s takeover, for our values, & for real progress. I’ve delivered on housing, healthcare, clean energy, and civil rights – and I’ll do it again.
Let’s build the future our city & country deserve. pic.twitter.com/4jDBha0F24
In preparation for his congressional bid, Wiener underscored his legislative victories and promised representation aligned with San Francisco’s values. A fierce advocate for LGBTQ rights, Wiener, if successful, would become the first person of the LGBTQ+ community to represent the city in Congress, an achievement he likens to a "historic opportunity" for San Francisco, reminiscent of the strides made since electing Harvey Milk in 1978. His career, from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to a seasoned state senator, echoes a consistent push for progress, similarly shaped by his legal background in the city. Wiener's stance against bigotry, as he stated, per ABC7 News, "I've stood up to violence and hate my entire life. Trump and his MAGA extremists don't scare me," demonstrates his commitment to combating adversarial politics.
