f{"id":45997,"date":"2026-01-10T13:35:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T21:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=45997"},"modified":"2026-01-10T13:35:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T21:35:21","slug":"word-on-the-street-a-once-in-a-generation-race-for-sf-voters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2026\/01\/10\/word-on-the-street-a-once-in-a-generation-race-for-sf-voters\/","title":{"rendered":"Word on the Street: A &#8216;once-in-a-generation&#8217; race for SF voters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/users\/profile\/Ali%20Wunderman\">By Ali Wunderman | Special to The Examiner<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jan 8, 2026 (SFExaminer.com)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com\/sfexaminer.com\/content\/tncms\/assets\/v3\/editorial\/b\/ea\/bea02447-3d76-484a-b439-3253c6cacf21\/695ff510bc2ee.image.jpg?resize=400%2C300\" alt=\"UC Law San Francisco forum\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Voters packed an auditorium in the basement of the UC Law San Francisco campus Wednesday night, where three candidates running for California\u2019s 11th congressional district gathered to explain why they were the right person to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi.<\/em><em>Ali Wunderman\/Special to The Examiner<\/em><em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some say San Francisco\u2019s nightlife is lacking, but for those engaged in local politics, there is no shortage of things to do after dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The place to be Wednesday night was a packed auditorium in the basement of the UC Law San Francisco campus, where three candidates running for California\u2019s 11th congressional district gathered, each one explaining why they were the right person to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/politics\/nancy-pelosi-not-running-for-reelection-congress\/article_cb68b9aa-e9b7-4204-8853-6dd1798da870.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This wasn\u2019t just a chance to hear from the candidates \u2014&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/politics\/scott-wiener-congress-nancy-pelosi\/article_f92a9029-60c8-4d16-b25a-2b609308bc48.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">state Sen. Scott Weiner<\/a>;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/politics\/saikat-chakrabarti-builds-campaign-to-challenge-nancy-pelosi\/article_0a495fe0-19f1-438c-865d-a99f92b127d9.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Saikat Chakrabarti<\/a>, a former tech worker and chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York; and District 1 Supervisor&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/politics\/connie-chan-nancy-pelosi-congress\/article_4ec90c9d-2389-4403-a3fe-c278f336acd6.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Connie Chan<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 hoping to fill the considerably large shoes of one of the most accomplished legislators in American history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was also the first time such a forum had been assembled in San Francisco since Pelosi won a special election to the House of Representatives in 1987.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So it\u2019s probably no surprise that a line began forming outside the building two hours prior to the event kicking off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s a once-in-a-generation opportunity,\u201d said Jace Ritchey, communications officer for the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.milkclub.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harvey Milk LGBTQ+ Democratic Club<\/a>, which hosted the event alongside the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/workingfamilies.org\/san-francisco-working-families-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Working Families Party<\/a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alicebtoklas.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4\" height=\"3\" src=\"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-20.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46001\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 2,000 people RSVPd to the event, with at least 650 people filling out the auditorium and nearby overflow space at Beer Hall, and more than 1,000 attendees watching live via Discord.Ali Wunderman\/Special to The Examiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ritchey wasn\u2019t the only one to feel that way. More than 2,000 people RSVPed to the event, with at least 650 people filling out the auditorium and nearby overflow space at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thebeerhallsf.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beer Hall<\/a>, and more than 1,000 attendees watching live via Discord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guests still in line were turned away once the spaces reached capacity, but, \u201cmost were happy that it meant people care,\u201d Ritchey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the candidates, the bustling crowd reflected The City\u2019s pastime of civic engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThose are my people,\u201d Wiener laughed, reflecting on his own history of attending political events for fun. \u201cSan Francisco is potentially the most politically engaged city on the planet. They care about politics and government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether people like what he\u2019s doing or not, Weiner says he appreciates that the community pays attention to what he\u2019s working on in the state capitol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chakrabarti said he felt motivated by the turnout, saying it\u2019s awesome that this is the moment we\u2019re in right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt inspires me about the stuff I\u2019m pitching, which is a little bigger \u2014 saying we need systemic change, to have a political revolution,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ex \/\/ Top Stories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/public-health\/new-us-childhood-vaccine-schedule-alarms-health-experts\/article_fc085b80-c15e-446b-9f8b-cea1e313a258.html#tncms-source=top-stories-article\">US vaccine schedule changes alarm experts<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">City, state counter new CDC guidance \u2014 but some pediatricians, educators and parents said they fear the damage is already done<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/technology\/with-delusions-rising-ucsf-to-study-ai-mental-health-link\/article_20bebebe-86a0-4f18-802e-6aa8976e91df.html#tncms-source=top-stories-article\">UCSF, Stanford to study links between AI use, mental health<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Psychiatrists plan to start screening patients for chatbot use, and researchers are hoping to analyze patients\u2019 AI chat logs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/politics\/2026-sf-elections-key-contests-to-watch-at-polls-this-year\/article_3518da26-7ae0-4f87-bd79-a508d262d292.html#tncms-source=top-stories-article\">Here\u2019s what\u2019s coming to SF ballots this year<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">San Franciscans will head to the polls to decide Pelosi\u2019s congressional seat, hot ballot measures and more\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While politics are deeply intertwined with San Francisco\u2019s social identity \u2014 I ran into a number of friends at the event \u2014 fun wasn\u2019t the main goal of attending the historic forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m here to listen,\u201d said Kiki Lopez, a transgender-rights activist and advocate particularly keen on hearing the candidates\u2019 respective plans for the transgender community, especially trans people of color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Bianca Polovina, president of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ifpte21.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IFPTE Local 21<\/a>, the forum was a chance to support Chan, Polovina\u2019s preferred candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI live out in the Richmond district, and I feel like she\u2019s the candidate that\u2019s right for us in this moment,\u201d Polovina said, emphasizing how critical this election is for protecting The City\u2019s values. \u201cI\u2019m looking for a fighter for San Francisco, someone who\u2019s going to stand up for regular working people who are living paycheck to paycheck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4\" height=\"3\" src=\"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45998\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left, Saikat Chakrabarti, state Sen. Scott Wiener and Supervisor Connie Chan take part in a forum for the candidates running for Nancy Pelosi\u2019s seat in Congress.Ali Wunderman\/Special to The Examiner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On stage, the forum proceeded without too many surprises, a couple of light jabs thrown here and there, and about 75% of the audience sticking around until the end of the two-hour discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Questions revolved largely around issues specific to San Francisco, such as fighting for LGBTQ rights and why President Donald Trump is so very impeachable. There wasn\u2019t much disagreement or challenge to be found \u2014 no asking Chakrabarti about wanting to take on the ultra-rich while himself being&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/saikat-chakrabarti-net-worth-nancy-pelosi-primary-challenger-2025-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">worth nearly $200 million<\/a>; no questioning&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/markdietrichsf\/status\/1836615057733759074\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supervisor Chan\u2019s past behavior<\/a>&nbsp;towards constituents giving public comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Were I at the front of the room, I would have inquired less about their ideologies that most San Franciscans already share, and delved more into how they plan to bring those grand ideas to life \u2014 the way Pelosi did throughout her career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 How do you plan to reach across the aisle in Washington D.C. and work with Republicans to protect San Francisco values?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Describe a time when you did something politically risky or unpopular \u2014 like publicly disagreeing with the mayor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 How will you unite San Franciscans warring over nuances in shared ideology so we can instead fight the totalitarian coup that is currently underway?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From where I was sitting, there was no clear winner, but there were some solid takeaways: Weiner\u2019s bonafides and ability to pass legislation are unmatched; Supervisor Chan is ready to fight at the highest level; newcomer Chakrabarti is a serious contender for the role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, the real headline of the night wasn\u2019t any single answer; it was the crowd itself. If this forum was a preview of the race ahead, it suggests that whoever replaces Pelosi won\u2019t just inherit a powerful seat \u2014 they\u2019ll inherit a city that expects to be taken seriously and is ready to show up to ensure that happens.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some say San Francisco\u2019s nightlife is lacking, but for those engaged in local politics, there is no shortage of things to do after dark. The place to be Wednesday night was a packed auditorium in the basement of the UC Law San Francisco campus, where three candidates running for California\u2019s&#8230; <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2026\/01\/10\/word-on-the-street-a-once-in-a-generation-race-for-sf-voters\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45997"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45997\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}