By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Saikat Chakrabarti, both Democrats, this week saw their competition narrow in the race to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the member of Congress representing San Francisco.
Christine Pelosi, Nancy’s daughter, said she would prefer to succeed Wiener in the state Senate than following her mom to the House of Representatives. Long politically active, Christine said in that way she could forge her own path.
If Wiener wins the congressional seat next year, a special election will be conducted to choose his successor in the state Senate district. If he loses, his term ends in 2028 and he cannot seek reelection because of term limits.
In either event, Christine Pelosi commented, she will be a candidate.
Wiener is co-chairman of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. Chakrabarti served as chief of staff to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) and previously headed computerized recruitment for the 2016 presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
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Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) has scheduled an appearance on Thursday in Palm Springs with San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert, who is a Democratic candidate in California’s 48th Congressional District, which was redrawn Nov. 4 by voter approval of Proposition 50.
Jewish congresswoman Becca Balint (D-Vermont) had endorsed von Wilpert previously.
The ballot measure made reelection less certain for Republican incumbent, U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California), quickening the hearts of Democrats who have long been shut out from representing the district based in San Diego and Riverside Counties.
Ammar Campa-Najjar, who lost to Issa in 2020, is another Democratic candidate. He has been endorsed in the 2026 contest by local Congress members Scott Peters and Mike Levin.
Raised in his mother’s Catholic religion, rather than in his father’s Jewish religion, Levin said Campa-Najjar “has repeatedly shown that he has the courage and ability to take on tough fights. But more importantly, he’s running for the right reasons – to complete the mission, put people before politics, and deliver real results.”
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Odds makers say that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York)’s chances for winning reelection have deteriorated in the aftermath of the Nov. 4 election in which Democratic progressive Zohran Mamdani won in New York City’s mayoral race. Josh Barton of Bet Online reports that to win $100 prior to Nov. 4, a gambler had to bet $105 that Schumer would fail to be reelected in 2028. After Nov. 4, one seeking to win the same amount would have to wager $135.
A more immediate problem for Schumer is holding onto his position as Senate Democratic Leader after failing to rein in the eight Democrats who voted with Republicans to end the government shutdown without improving health care benefits for U.S. citizens. Speculation is that Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) will be among the senators mounting a campaign to replace him.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) was among the eight Democrats who lent their support to a measure reopening the government by a vote of 60 to 40.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.