As the Democrats lost control of the House, and Nancy Pelosi stepped down from her leadership position, the future of the long-standing Congresswoman has become the subject of intense speculation in her hometown of San Francisco. The burning question on everyone’s mind is whether Pelosi intends to keep her seat in Congress or retire, and if the latter, who would succeed her in this strongly Democratic city.
Having represented San Francisco since 1987, Pelosi’s retirement would not only open up the once-in-a-generation chance to be the city’s sole representative in Congress, but it could also set off a chain reaction of open races for state Senate, Assembly, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The stakes are high, and her decision is eagerly awaited, though Pelosi has remained quiet about her plans, keeping both supporters and ambitious candidates in suspense.
Three potential scenarios have been outlined in response to Pelosi’s possible retirement. Firstly, Pelosi could choose to run for another term, using her clout and fundraising prowess to help Democrats fend off any challenge from former President Donald Trump, assuming he is the Republican nominee in 2024. This strategy could be followed by her resignation later on, triggering a special election.
Alternatively, Pelosi could announce her decision to step aside before the party’s nominating process closes in the fall, ensuring a smoother transition for her successor. However, time is running out for this option as the nominating process is set to begin soon in mid-August.
The third scenario involves Pelosi waiting until the last minute to decide not to run. If she opts out of the race, the filing deadline for potential successors would be extended, potentially limiting the number of candidates and leading to a special party nominating conference.
San Francisco’s political landscape is brimming with potential successors vying for Pelosi’s seat. Among them are Todd David, a close friend and adviser of state Sen. Scott Wiener, who has formed an exploratory committee to run for the seat. Other major candidates include Christine Pelosi, the former speaker’s daughter and longtime party organizer, as well as Jane Kim, a former supervisor and California director of the ultra-progressive Working Families Party. These candidates are closely watching Pelosi’s decision, and their potential runs depend on whether she retires.
If Pelosi retires, a game of political musical chairs would begin. For instance, in state Senate District 11, Assemblymember Matt Haney is expected to run, with several prominent Democrats likely to vie for his Assembly District 17 seat. Additionally, Pelosi’s seat on the Board of Supervisors (District 8, The Castro, and Glen Park neighborhoods) has several rumored contenders, including Tom Temprano, a leader at Equality California, and Manny Yekutiel, owner of a cafe frequented by political figures.
Pelosi’s ongoing fundraising activities suggest she might still be considering running for re-election despite stepping down as Speaker Emerita. While her schedule has reduced, she remains actively involved in supporting Democrats and advising on key issues.
In the first six months of the year, Pelosi’s House re-election campaign raised nearly $2.1 million, and her political action committee (PAC) supporting other candidates collected $1.4 million. While these numbers are lower than her fundraising during her time as speaker, they are comparable to previous years when she ran for re-election. The fact that she continues to raise funds suggests that she may not be ready to retire from politics just yet.
But on the other hand he has been spending more time speaking at events like Ignite’s Young Women Run training and advocacy event, suggesting a focus on passing the baton to the next generation of leaders.
The ambiguity surrounding Pelosi’s plans has kept San Francisco’s political landscape on edge, waiting for her ultimate decision. As a respected and influential figure, Pelosi has earned the privilege to chart her own timeline, leaving the city’s political elite and constituents alike eagerly awaiting her next move.
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