A strained relationship between Nancy Pelosi and state Sen. Scott Wiener became a factor in the race to succeed the longtime San Francisco congresswoman, as Pelosi ultimately backed Connie Chan, whose ties to organized labor helped her secure the endorsement. In October 2025, Wiener called Pelosi to tell her he planned to enter the congressional race. He had been considering a run but was waiting for Pelosi to announce whether she would retire. By then, progressive challenger Saikat Chakrabarti had already entered the contest and was building support, adding pressure on Wiener to make a decision. Wiener’s advisers urged him to give Pelosi advance notice. After at least two years in which she had not returned his calls, Pelosi called him back following that outreach, according to the account of the campaign’s early maneuvering. The endorsement went to Chan, while Wiener pursued his own campaign. The contest illustrated how relationships among San Francisco’s political leaders and the backing of organized labor could influence the race to represent the city in Congress.