State Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan are heavily courting Chinese American voters, who constitute 22 percent of the city's population, in the November 3, 2026 election to succeed Nancy Pelosi in Congress. While Wiener leads with backing from key local Democratic leaders and a track record of state legislation, Chan draws support across ideological lines as a Taiwanese immigrant striving to become the city's first Chinese American representative in Congress.
Chinese American voter importance
- ▪Ethnically Chinese residents comprise approximately 22 percent of San Francisco's population, representing the highest share of any major U.S. city.
- ▪State Senator Scott Wiener and Supervisor Connie Chan are competing in the November 3, 2026 election for San Francisco's congressional seat to succeed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
Chan identity-based coalition
- ▪A group of 50 national Asian American community leaders held a virtual fundraiser in September 2026 that raised a five-figure sum for Supervisor Connie Chan's congressional campaign.
- ▪Supervisor Connie Chan immigrated to the United States from Taiwan at age 13 and would be the first Chinese and Asian American Congress member representing San Francisco if elected.
- ▪A primary election analysis revealed Supervisor Connie Chan achieved her highest support in San Francisco's most moderate precincts as well as progressive strongholds Bernal Heights and the Mission.
Wiener legislative accomplishments
- ▪State Senator Scott Wiener authored California AI safety legislation, secured state funding for anti-Asian hate initiatives, capped insulin at $35 monthly, and expanded acupuncture Medi-Cal coverage.
- ▪State Senator Scott Wiener secured state funding allocations for San Francisco's Chinese Hospital and the renovation of Portsmouth Square Park.
Competing campaign endorsements
- ▪San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu and local Democratic Party Chair Nancy Tung endorsed State Senator Scott Wiener during a San Francisco AAPI town hall.
- ▪The Chinese American Democratic Club endorsed Supervisor Connie Chan's congressional campaign, citing her appeal to both moderate and progressive Chinese American voters.
Policy alignment versus representation
- ▪Political science professor Jason McDaniel noted that San Francisco's congressional election centers significantly on identity over ideology, as both candidates hold broadly liberal platform commitments.
- ▪San Francisco voters Christopher Yee and Cat Wu stated that policy alignment and concrete legislative results matter more to them than electing a candidate solely based on shared racial identity.
Debatable claims
- ▪Scott Wiener's state legislative record qualifies him to represent San Francisco in Congress
- ▪Connie Chan's platform successfully unites San Francisco's moderate and progressive voters
- ▪San Francisco voters should prioritize electing a Chinese American representative to Congress
- ▪Scott Wiener's endorsements from party leadership align him with the political status quo
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