State Senator Scott Wiener announces he’s running for Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat

SAN FRANCSICO (KGO) — State Senator Scott Wiener has announced his official bid for Congress, running for the seat currently occupied by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.

The move sets the stage for what could be a high-profile and competitive primary.

This news of Wiener, who represents San Francisco, officially running for the seat is coming while it’s still unclear if Nancy Pelosi will seek reelection.

However, as some political experts have said, Wiener doesn’t have time to wait for her announcement one way or the other.

“I’m running for congress to defend San Francisco, our values, our people and the constitution of the United States with everything I have,” Wiener said in an announcement video. “I’ve stood up to violence and hate my entire life. Trump and his MAGA extremists don’t scare me.”

This has already been an active race.

For months now, a progressive newcomer named Saikat Chakrabarti has been aggressively campaigning against Pelosi.

Last week, when it was only rumored that Wiener would be running, ABC7 News Insider Phil Matier spoke about the state senator’s timing.

“I’m not sure if it’s a good move or a bad move, but it’s the only move he feels that he can make right now,” Matier said. “Basically, he has a choice: he either gets into the fray and takes on one of the most popular and powerful politicians in the Bay Area and in California, or he sits on the sidelines while the newcomer comes in and does it. The problem for Scott Wiener is that the window is only gonna be open for so long. He’s collected a million dollars for the run. He either gets in this race or he sits on the sidelines.”

A spokesperson for Pelosi told ABC7 News last week she is “fully focused on her mission to win the Yes on 50 special election in California on November 4th. She urges all Californians to join in that mission on the path to Democrats taking back the House.”

Wiener plans to give interviews later on Wednesday.