California State Senator Scott Wiener Seeks to Fill Nancy Pelosi’s Congressional Seat

California State Senator Scott Wiener is the frontrunner to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress, expected to receive the Democratic Party's endorsement Sunday. Known for tackling controversial legislation, Wiener recently faced criticism after changing his stance on calling Israel's actions in Gaza genocide.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California state legislator positioned as the leading candidate to take over Nancy Pelosi’s congressional district has already gained national attention for championing controversial measures including restrictions on face coverings for federal officers and legislation protecting transgender minors.

Scott Wiener is anticipated to secure the California Democratic Party’s backing this Sunday, providing additional momentum for his campaign in a crowded primary race. Upon reaching Washington, he may quickly emerge as a new face representing San Francisco’s political landscape, criticized by conservative voices as embodying far-left ideology while sometimes finding himself at odds with progressive allies.

Through 15 years serving in local and state government, Wiener has gained experience managing this delicate political balance.

“Sen. Wiener only does the tough bills,” said Chris Micheli, a veteran Sacramento lobbyist. “He never shies away from a significant political battle.”

The complexities of contemporary Democratic politics became evident for Wiener this January when he modified his position regarding the Gaza conflict. After initially refusing to join progressive rivals in labeling Israel’s military actions as genocide, he later adopted that terminology. This reversal upset several Jewish organizations and prompted Wiener to resign from his co-leadership role in the state Legislative Jewish Caucus.

“For a period of time I chose not to use the word ‘genocide’ because it is so sensitive within the Jewish community,” Wiener explained during an Associated Press interview. “But ultimately I decided I had been effectively saying ‘genocide’ for quite some time.”

Despite his typically composed manner, Wiener frequently finds himself at the heart of California’s most contentious debates, spanning topics from housing development to substance abuse policy. Both supporters and detractors characterize him as someone who fights tenaciously for his legislative priorities.

“If you’re willing to risk people being mad at you, you can get things done and make people’s lives better,” Wiener stated.

Among his legislative achievements are measures mandating major corporations report their direct and indirect carbon emissions and accelerating apartment development near mass transit hubs.

However, his track record includes setbacks as well.

Wiener crafted groundbreaking legislation prohibiting local and federal law enforcement from using face masks following widespread immigration enforcement operations in Southern California last summer. A court prevented the law from being implemented this month — an unusual defeat in the state’s legal confrontations with the Trump administration that prompted criticism of Wiener from Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration.

He also encountered failure with high-profile proposals to legalize psychedelic mushrooms and establish liability for oil and gas corporations regarding climate-related natural disaster damages.

Opposition to his work spans party lines.

Republican lawmakers have condemned numerous policies he’s advanced to protect LGBTQ+ individuals, with some using derogatory language against Wiener, who is openly gay.

Aaron Peskin, a former San Francisco supervisor and vocal progressive, argued that legislation authored by Wiener unintentionally hampered local housing and affordability initiatives.

“It was screwing my government’s ability to deliver goods and services to the people that we represent,” Peskin said.

While Wiener maintains support for Israel’s defensive rights, he expressed growing alarm at the magnitude of its Gaza offensive and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 70,000 Palestinian deaths since fighting resumed in late 2023. Though he had sharply condemned Israel’s military conduct, he previously avoided the term “genocide.”

During a January candidate debate, he declined to give a direct response when Democratic contenders were questioned about whether Israel was perpetrating genocide, frustrating pro-Palestinian activists. His competitors, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan and former technology executive Saikat Chakrabarti, answered affirmatively.

Several days afterward, he published a video statement declaring Israel had committed genocide, sparking criticism from Jewish and pro-Israel organizations who questioned his “moral clarity.”

This episode illustrates the challenging political landscape many Democrats must traverse as polling indicates shifting American attitudes toward Israel. Public support for Israel among Americans reached historic lows in 2025, especially among Democratic and independent voters, while Palestinian sympathy has increased.

“Do I think he wins or loses based on this issue? Not necessarily, but it could become a problem for him,” observed Jim Ross, a San Francisco Bay Area political strategist, noting some voters might worry about his consistency on issues they value.

Among Congress members, only two Jewish representatives — Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic Representative Becca Balint, both from Vermont — have publicly characterized Israel’s actions as genocide. The Jewish Democratic Council of America reports just a small fraction of congressional Democrats have employed this language.

Wiener was raised in New Jersey within a Conservative Jewish household, a moderately traditional branch of Judaism, and his social circle through high school consisted entirely of synagogue friends, he recalled. At Duke University, he joined a Jewish fraternity and was pleasantly surprised by his fraternity brothers’ acceptance when he disclosed his sexual orientation.

“A lot of Jews just intuitively understand what it means to be part of a marginalized community,” he reflected.

Former House Speaker Pelosi has remained neutral in the congressional race.

Should he win election, Wiener pledged to address San Francisco’s famously expensive cost of living. His challengers campaign on similar commitments while arguing he has inadequately emphasized affordable housing solutions.

Chan and Chakrabarti, a former staff member to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, present themselves as newer candidates better equipped to deliver transformative change following Pelosi’s tenure. They characterize Wiener as a centrist with establishment connections. Chan has won election twice from voters in the city’s Richmond District, while Chakrabarti has never appeared on a ballot.

Political consultant Ross noted the impossibility of matching anyone against Pelosi given her extraordinary political influence. Yet like her, Wiener has demonstrated strong networking abilities, fundraising capacity, and success passing ambitious legislation.

“They’re both about the politics of what they can get done,” Ross concluded.