- State
- California
- Office / race
- U.S. House
- Party
- Democratic
- Reviewed
- October 24, 2026
- District
- 11
Career timeline
California District 11: June 2, 2026 primary
2026-06-02 · Votes
The congressional contest
Scott Wiener is running for California’s 11th Congressional District against fellow Democrat Connie Chan in 2026. Ballotpedia identifies the general-election matchup, while ABC7 describes the contest to succeed Nancy Pelosi. Wiener currently serves in the California Senate. The race offers a choice between two Democrats with overlapping goals but different records and policy approaches.
Sources: Ballotpedia — Scott Wiener, 2026 election ↗ · ABC7 — Wiener and Chan on the issues, October 8, 2026 ↗
New Jersey, law school and San Francisco
Wiener grew up in New Jersey, the son of a small-business owner and a teacher. His campaign biography records degrees from Duke and Harvard Law School, plus a Fulbright year conducting historical research in Chile. He moved to San Francisco in 1997, establishing the local roots that preceded his campaigns for city and state office.
Sources: Wiener campaign — Meet Scott ↗
A legal and local-government career
Before elected office, Wiener practiced law in private firms and as a deputy city attorney, and clerked on the New Jersey Supreme Court. He later represented a San Francisco supervisorial district. His Senate biography describes local work on parental leave, housing approvals, water recycling and transportation funding. These were city-level responsibilities before his move to Sacramento.
The state Senate record
First elected to the California Senate in 2016, Wiener represents its 11th District. His official biography lists leadership roles in elections, housing and the budget at different points in his tenure. It identifies legislation on housing permits, mental-health insurance coverage and climate reporting. The relevant record is the content and operation of those laws, rather than a count of bills alone.
What he wants to bring to Congress
In ABC7’s October interview, Wiener said housing affordability would be the subject of his first congressional bill. He proposed expanding federal involvement in construction and supporting mixed-income social housing. He also advocated federal safeguards for artificial intelligence, including testing and oversight. Those are campaign proposals, with funding, institutional design and legislative support still to be established.
Sources: ABC7 — Wiener and Chan on the issues, October 8, 2026 ↗
The campaign’s central claim
His campaign presents his experience passing legislation as evidence that he can deliver change in Washington. It also highlights his work on LGBTQ protections and affordability. This is the candidate’s case for his own effectiveness. Voters can compare it with the specific results of his laws and with Chan’s alternative priorities, rather than relying on campaign descriptions alone.
Sources: Wiener campaign — Meet Scott ↗
Experience and a different institution
Editorial analysis: Wiener has a substantial city and state legislative record to bring to a federal campaign. The test is how he would adapt that experience to Congress, where coalitions, jurisdiction and available powers differ. Housing and technology proposals provide concrete ways to assess the transition, including which actions belong at the federal level and which remain local.
Sources: California Senate — Scott Wiener biography ↗ · ABC7 — Wiener and Chan on the issues, October 8, 2026 ↗
Prepared with AI assistance. Source-based reporting checked on October 24, 2026. This article does not update automatically. Read our editorial standards.
