Wiener takes California seat after close race
Scott Wiener defeats Connie Chan in California's 11th District, ending Nancy Pelosi's long tenure in Congress.
By Kaito Sokolov ·
Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, spent nearly four decades representing California's 11th District before announcing her retirement in late 2025. Her departure opened a high-profile vacancy in a district that includes San Francisco, drawing national attention to the special election held this year.
Scott Wiener, a Democrat and former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, claimed victory in the race on Wednesday. He will succeed Pelosi as the district's representative. Wiener previously served in the state Senate before returning to local politics in 2016.
His opponent, Connie Chan, also a Democrat and current San Francisco Board of Supervisors member, conceded the race. In a written statement, she acknowledged the results and the remaining ballots to be counted. She noted that while the margin might narrow, she did not see a clear path to winning.
Chan had received the explicit endorsement of Pelosi in May 2026. The former House leader backed her fellow Democrat in what was expected to be a competitive contest. Chan expressed her gratitude for the support in a separate message sent out Tuesday.
NBC News had not yet projected a winner in the race as of the latest reports. The outcome confirms the shift in power within the district following Pelosi's exit. Wiener will now prepare to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Pelosi held the Speakership in two separate stints, from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. She was the first woman elected to that position by her colleagues. Her tenure ended after she decided not to seek another term in the 2025 election cycle.
