The first large-scale forum featuring four candidates running to succeed Nancy Pelosi in representing California’s 11th Congressional District was held Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The event, sponsored by SHARP and co-hosted by Stop Crime SF and other community groups, took place at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park.
California State Senator Scott Wiener, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, political adviser Saikat Chakrabarti, and community advocate Marie Hurabiell took the stage. It followed the previous evening’s forum hosted by KQED, which did not include Hurabiell because she announced her candidacy after the deadline.
Candidates fielded audience questions delivered by moderators, who urged clarity. “We are here for specifics, not stump speeches,” they said.
Wiener, who said he has dedicated 29 years to improving San Francisco, emphasized his record on housing, clean energy, and protecting vulnerable communities, including immigrants and LGBTQ+ people. He noted his role in recalling the school board and restoring algebra in schools, as well as efforts to require health insurance companies to help fund addiction recovery.
Chan focused heavily on her opposition to President Donald Trump, criticizing his spending on the war in Iran and arguing that the money could and should be going to San Franciscans for services like health care. She pledged to bring a “working people agenda” to Washington and to ensure SNAP benefits reach people facing food insecurity.
Hurabiell described the current moment as “a moderate revolution; a revolution of common sense.” She highlighted her on-the-ground involvement in the successful 2022 district attorney and school board recalls, as well as efforts to bring algebra back to San Francisco schools. She pointed to her strengths as a community organizer.
Chakrabarti opened by recounting his upbringing in Texas, where his parents struggled financially and he grew up middle class. After leaving tech, he joined the Bernie Sanders campaign and challenged traditional Democrats. “I have never seen a change moment like this,” he said, framing Democratic Socialist (DSA) Zohran Mamdani being elected mayor of New York as a positive. He vowed to go against the Democratic establishment.
San Francisco is a dynamic city accustomed to booms and busts, with a deep history of embracing innovation and risk-taking. After the forum concluded, Wiener left early to attend a Seder. I asked the three remaining candidates whether they would take a more socialistic approach to Congress or a more free‑market one.
As with the moderators, I sought a straightforward response. Here is what each said:
Chan: “San Franciscans know what we want. There are diverse schools of thought. There are absolutely people who are Democrat Socialists and there are absolutely people who believe in that, and I think in San Francisco we should hold those ideas and respect those ideas.”
Chakrabarti: “I don’t try to work in labels. I like to push the ideas first. I do believe that corporate interests have taken control of our government. What do you mean by socialism? I would bring a pragmatic solution to getting us out of the rut we’re in. Look at how FDR did during the Great Depression. Did he do socialism or free-market side? What did Korea do to become rich? Did they do socialism or free-market side? You have [to] have a holistic solution to solve big problems. You can’t just use labels.”
Hurabiell: “Free market, obviously. I believe free market is the way to go. I believe every experience with socialism in the history of the world has failed. I’m sorry, but anybody who says they just didn’t do it right is living in a fantasy world. We need to deal with reality. Free markets are the way to go.”
On June 2, 2026, California voters will be casting their ballots in the primary election. Two of these candidates will advance to the final election held in November.
