State Sen. Scott Wiener is on the brink of locking down the California Democratic Party’s endorsement in the race to replace Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, after a blowout pre-endorsement vote by party delegates that leaves him with a clear glide path heading into next month’s convention in San Francisco.
Delegates Hand Wiener A Lopsided Pre-Endorsement Win
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, delegates in an online pre-endorsement round gave Wiener 117 of 151 votes, more than 77 percent of the total. San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan pulled in 30 votes; former tech executive Saikat Chakrabarti received none; and four delegates declined to back anyone.
The Chronicle reports that the party’s recommendation will now land on the consent calendar at the California Democratic Party convention, set for Feb. 20-22 in San Francisco. Items on that calendar are typically approved with little drama, a process that often turns early showings like this into official endorsements.
Establishment Muscle Lines Up Behind Wiener
Wiener has stacked up support from key party figures and organizations that helped fuel his delegate dominance. He secured an early endorsement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as reported by Politico, along with commitments from several LGBTQ groups to mobilize on his behalf, according to Metro Weekly.
Campaign operatives say that a mix of establishment backing and organized grassroots networks helped translate into the commanding delegate margin Wiener just posted.
Chan Counters With Union Firepower
Chan’s camp is brushing off the pre-endorsement rout and pointing instead to her growing support from organized labor. Her campaign is highlighting recent endorsements from the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers as proof she has real strength among working voters, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Campaign spokesperson Julie Edwards told the paper, "This race won't be decided by party insiders," arguing that the ultimate outcome will be driven by working people across the district rather than by delegate math.
What’s Next As The Race Heads Toward June
The state party will convene Feb. 20-22, where Wiener’s endorsement recommendation is slated to sit on the consent calendar for what is expected to be a quick sign-off if no delegates move to pull it for debate.
Between now and the convention, donors, activists, and campaigns will be watching to see whether Chan’s union backing or any grassroots momentum for Chakrabarti can blunt the organizational edge that usually comes with a formal state-party endorsement as the contest barrels toward the June primary.
