Nancy Pelosi Finally Endorses a Potential Successor

Pelosi backed Connie Chan, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Connie Chan Debate

Chan has served on the city’s board of supervisors since 2020, sometimes entering clashes with fellow Democrats. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/AP

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday endorsed the candidate Connie Chan to replace her in Congress, reversing her earlier decision to stay out of the contentious race.

Pelosi said Chan, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, “stands above” the other candidates running to represent the San Francisco district in Congress — a slate that includes Saikat Chakrabarti and Scott Wiener, who both entered the race before Pelosi had announced her retirement.

“At a time when fundamental freedoms and democratic values are under assault, we need a leader in Congress who is prepared to fight — forcefully and effectively,” Pelosi said in a statement Monday. A full video announcement is expected Tuesday.