Christine Pelosi Eyes Sacramento, Not Congress, in 2028 State Senate Run

Christine Pelosi, a lawyer and Democratic Party activist, is running for San Francisco’s state Senate seat.

Pelosi announced her 2028 run for the seat on Monday morning, she told KQED. After California voters last week passed Proposition 50, which she helped campaign for, Pelosi said she’s motivated to continue organizing and campaigning now.

“Because our rights are under attack, because having just come out [of] Prop. 50, organizing around the state with working families and swing voters and swing districts and reaching out across every corner of San Francisco, I know how excited and enthused people are to participate — and at the same time, how concerned they are,” she said. “And I believe that my experience as an attorney, author, advocate, wife and mom prepares me to be a representative for our community.”

The Senate seat is not technically open until 2028, but it could be vacant sooner: Sen. Scott Wiener is running for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat next year, and would step down if he wins.

If that happens, San Francisco Assemblyman Matt Haney and San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman are interested in running in a special election to replace Wiener.

The daughter of Nancy Pelosi, Christine Pelosi, was thought to be eyeing her mother’s congressional seat. Last week, Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection next fall, capping a three-decade career in Congress.

Christine Pelosi was often seen at her mother’s side as the congresswoman campaigned and conducted district work in San Francisco. But the younger Pelosi, who has worked as a San Francisco prosecutor and women’s rights attorney, said she believes she can do the most impactful work in the state Legislature.

She praised her mother as the “greatest speaker” and “most powerful representative” San Francisco has ever had.

“Those are amazing stilettos that no one can fill. And I wish everybody luck in that race for Congress,” she said, adding that it’s time for a new generation of leaders in Washington, D.C. — and that her path runs through Sacramento.

“I’ve been elected to statewide party office and built up relationships around the state that I think will be helpful to San Francisco,” she said.

Pelosi cited the future of work, women’s rights and building California’s power ahead of the 2030 census as her top priorities.

“My theme is power for the people, an homage to the late John Burton,” she said, noting that with the artificial intelligence industry booming in San Francisco, she wants to help make the city more affordable for all workers.

“AI is going to be a force for good or a force for ill. … We have to make sure that our workers can afford to stay here, that our school teachers, that our firefighters, that our hospital workers, that our tech workers can afford to be part of the community that is also making such rapid change internationally,” Pelosi said.