Source: https://dp.electionresults.sos.ca.gov/returns/us-rep/district/11
SF Supervisor Connie Chan Primary Results
I was going to blog about retiring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi endorsing San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan when this happened back in mid-May for California Congressional District 11, but never got around to it. Now, we see the results of Peosi’s endorsement for Chan. It was decisive in the California primary, which occurred this past week. Chan came in the top two in California’s “jungle” open primary, with California State Senator (and former San Francisco Supervisor) Scott Wiener:
“Wiener secured a runoff spot with about 41% of the vote, with Chan securing about 29%, per the AP. Chan celebrated her second place lead at an election party Tuesday evening after returns showed her doubling the votes of former congressional aide Saikat Chakrabarti — despite his self-funded $10 million campaign.
…
Pelosi’s late endorsement of Chan appears to have achieved its immediate goal: helping secure her place in the top two and preventing Chakrabarti from turning the race into a national proxy battle between Democratic establishment figures and the party’s progressive flank.
Pelosi endorsed Chan just weeks before the election, praising her record and elevating her candidacy after largely staying out of the succession contest.
“Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement absolutely turned the tide for us,” Chan told Axios Tuesday night. “We knew it … but we have also been building momentum.””
Ironically, for someone who has been blogging about Asian Americans involved in politics, I don’t know Connie Chan. I’ve seen her at one or two events in San Francisco, but have never really spoken to her in person. I live about 35 miles south of San Francisco.
Saikat Chakrabarti in Third Place
I had met Saikat Chakrabarti last year at a “meet & greet” via a friend who lived in San Francisco who knew one of the organizers of the event. Chakrabarti seemed to be well intentioned. But Chakrabarti, after striking gold as being the first or second employee at Stripe, left the Bay Area to get involved in politics and eventually becoming Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (“AOC”) original campaign manager back in 2018 and her Chief-of-Staff. AOC refused to officially endorse him which I think caused great harm for his campaign. Chakrabarti often referenced his time with AOC to back his progressive credentials.
He was painted as a carpetbagger for moving back in the Bay Area only a few years ago I believe. Chakrabarti, who has an estimated net worth of approximately $150 million, self-financed his campaign up to $10 million for the primary. Crazy! Money can only go so far. In politics, especially local politics, name recognition and previous public service can go a long way in overcoming any financial advantage. I have known other examples where money can “buy” elections, though.
Friends and acquaintances have often asked me when I am going to run for public office. My usual response is when I win the lottery or when I’m retired! Personally, I’d hate to dial for cash to fundraise to run for public office and would rather self finance. I don’t think I would initially run for a seat like Congress but would start at the local level. I think fundamentally, people want to vote for people who have paid their dues and shown commitment to public service. Of course, Trump is the greatest counter example of all time, but he did have massive name recognition.
Scott Wiener: Connie Chan’s Opponent in the General Election
I’ve also met California State Senator Scott Wiener (and fellow Duke alum) on a few occasions. Personally, if I lived in San Francisco and could vote for either Wiener or Chan, I’m not sure who I would choose. I would probably choose Wiener given his lengthier time in pubic service and his experience as a state legislator. That he is a fellow Duke alum doesn’t hurt either! I don’t believe in voting on pure “identity politics.” I’d rather commit suicide than vote for Trump even if Trump were Taiwanese American.
Identity politics might come into play for the general election, as Wiener is openly gay Approximately up to 7% of San Francisco adults identify as LGBT with the active electorate between 15% to 23%. Chan is an Asian American. She is originally from Hong Kong with a stint in Taiwan (between the ages of 5 to 13) before arriving as a child in San Francisco. Around 22% of San Francisco is of Chinese decent, and overall, 37.2% Asian.
I suspect that Wiener will prevail in the general election. Still, if Chan wins, I will certainly be happy that Chan would be the first Asian American to represent San Francisco in Congress!
