SF Supervisor Connie Chan to run for Pelosi's congressional seat
SF Supervisor Connie Chan to run for Pelosi's congressional seat
City Supervisor Connie Chan officially announced on Thursday morning that she will run for Nancy Pelosi's congressional seat.
SAN FRANCISCO - Another candidate is joining the race to fill the congressional seat held by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, which represents San Francisco.
City Supervisor Connie Chan officially announced on Thursday morning that she will run for that seat.
She spoke exclusively to KTVU's Amber Lee before launching her campaign.
Chan said she decided to run for Pelosi's Congressional District 11 seat when Pelosi decided not to seek re-election after serving for nearly four decades.
Chan met with a KTVU crew at Land's End in the Richmond District, which she represents.
She said her two decades in public service and her work as the budget committee chair on the Board of Supervisors gives her the experience and skills to fight against President Donald Trump's attacks on immigrants, the LGBTQ community, people of color, and the working class.
"We are strategic. We're thoughtful. We can maneuver very difficult political terrain and still deliver resources that San Francisco deserves," said Chan.
Nancy Pelosi retiring after nearly 40 years in Congress
Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress, ending speculation that one of the most powerful women in American politics would seek another term.
She is an immigrant herself.
Chan came to the United States from Hong Kong when she was 13.
She launched her campaign with a video released on Thursday morning in which
Chan spoke about growing up with a single mother with a younger brother in a one-bedroom apartment in Chinatown.
Chan's priorities
Dig deeper:
Chan said her priorities include making sure San Francisco remains a sanctuary city and that the city will be affordable for everyone, not just the wealthy.
"We need to fight for those resources to make San Francisco better, and more support," she said. "And that also means healthcare, education as well as fair wage for our workers."
What's next for Nancy Pelosi's seat?
Rep. Nancy Pelosi had made it clear she would not announce any decision about her congressional seat until after voters weighed in on Proposition 50 — and she stayed true to her word. Now, several candidates have already thrown their names into the ring for her seat. It’s a rare opportunity to compete for an open congressional seat, especially one long held by such a powerful political figure.
Other candidates
The backstory:
Chan faces at least two other candidates: California State Senator Scott Wiener and
Saikat Chakrabarti, former chief of staff to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
When asked why should San Franciscans should vote for her, Chan replied:
"Not only do I represent San Francisco values, I can deliver for San Francisco. San Francisco needs a fighter and defender of our values, but also someone who's pragmatic and has a strategic approach."
Chan has served as a legislative aide to former Supervisors Aaron Peskin, and Sophie Maxwell.
She also worked for Kamala Harris when Harris was San Francisco District Attorney.
She was a victim's advocate for the Asian community.
Chan is in her second term as District 1 supervisor.
Pelosi endorsed Chan in her current role.
Now, Chan says she has every intention of working hard to earn Pelosi's endorsement for the District 11 Congressional seat.
If elected, Chan would be the first Asian American to represent San Francisco in Congress.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave a message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU
The Source: Interview with Connie Chan, and previous KTVU reporting.