San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan Reportedly Eyes Congressional Run Amidst Public Safety Criticisms

San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan is reportedly considering a bid for Representative Nancy Pelosi's congressional seat in 2026, following Pelosi's recent announcement of retirement. This development comes as Chan faces renewed criticism regarding public safety in San Francisco, particularly concerning the Asian American community.

Prominent tech executive and Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, a vocal critic of Chan, stated in a recent social media post, "> I asked Supervisor Connie Chan to resign in May because she refuses to acknowledge even basic needs of the Asian American community for public safety." Tan further asserted, "> I heard instead of resigning, she's actually running for Nancy Pelosi's seat. Connie Chan would be a disaster for SF and for America."

Chan has served as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' representative for District 1 since 2021 and was recently re-elected in a closely contested race. Her potential congressional aspirations have been a subject of speculation, with reports indicating she would only pursue the seat if Pelosi retired. Pelosi officially announced her retirement on November 6, 2025, after nearly four decades in Congress.

The issue of public safety, especially for the Asian American community, has been a contentious topic in San Francisco politics. While specific details of Tan's "May" resignation call regarding Asian American public safety needs are not widely reported, Tan has consistently criticized Chan and other progressive supervisors on public safety matters. In January 2024, Tan faced backlash for a controversial tweet targeting several supervisors, including Chan, with a "die slow" remark, which he later apologized for as a misinterpreted rap reference.

Chan's office has previously stated her support for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and she has appeared alongside Pelosi at public events, leading some political observers to suggest a potential endorsement. However, Pelosi has not yet endorsed any candidate to succeed her. Other potential contenders for the seat include State Senator Scott Wiener, former tech executive Saikat Chakrabarti, and potentially Pelosi's daughter, Christine Pelosi.