From The San Francisco Standard · · 1m 50s
Pelosi’s seat domino effect
San Francisco’s political race could trigger a chain reaction across state and city government.
In brief
San Francisco’s political race could trigger a chain reaction across state and city government. If Scott Wiener wins San Francisco’s supervisor race, it could spark a special election for his state senate seat and reshape the city’s political landscape. Originally reported by The San Francisco Standard.
San Francisco political race
The bitter fight to succeed Nancy Pelosi in Congress is nearly over for San Francisco’s political class.
Domino effect starts
Whether state sen. Scott Wiener or supervisor Connie Chan wins could kick off a chain reaction reaching the state senate and assembly.
Wiener wins scenario
If Wiener wins, he must resign his state senate seat by early january and a special election would fill his seat.
Wiener leads polls
Wiener holds a slim yet durable lead over Chan in recent polling, making him the likelier candidate.
Special election candidates
Assemblymember Matt Haney and Christine Pelosi have declared for the special election to fill Wiener’s seat.
Labor movement split
The special election could divide San Francisco’s powerful labor movement, which counts both Haney and the Pelosi family among its allies.
Haney’s fundraising edge
Haney has $150,000 parked in two campaign committees, while Pelosi has $24,000 in cash on hand.
Pelosi’s national connections
Christine Pelosi has deep national connections, including service on the Democratic National Committee since 1996.
Chan wins scenario
If Chan wins, she would open her District 1 seat covering Richmond and Sea Cliff.
Chan’s advantages
Chan trails Wiener by a few points in polls and has Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement and labor union backing.
What happens next
San Francisco is headed for a changing of the guard unlike any seen since Nancy Pelosi won a special election four decades ago.
The main idea
If Scott Wiener wins San Francisco’s supervisor race, it could spark a special election for his state senate seat and reshape the city’s political landscape.
