Welcome back to our “Meet the Candidates” series, where the congressional candidates respond to a question in 100 words or fewer. Answers will be published every Monday. 

CA-11, the congressional district that Connie Chan and Scott Wiener are running to represent, includes most of San Francisco. Some southern neighborhoods (the Excelsior, Portola, Visitacion Valley and Ingleside) are a part of a neighboring district.

With a month until election day, the two camps and their supporters are trying to gain ground through negative campaigning against their opponents in hope of swaying voters who remain undecided.

Some of the recurring attacks have focused on Wiener’s financial backing from tech and AI industries and his earlier position on Gaza. Critiques of Chan accuse her of having produced a thin legislative record and a history of obstruction. 

These attacks often leave out context and give candidates little chance to explain the nuances of their records and positions.

This week’s question: What criticism have you received that you believe is unfair?

Cartoon drawing of a man with glasses, short hair, and a beard, wearing a suit and tie, in front of a light green circular background.

Scott Wiener

Job: San Francisco’s State Senator

Age: 56

Residency: Homeowner, moved to San Francisco in 1997

Transportation: Public transit and walking

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Duke, law degree from Harvard

Languages: English, Spanish

People say I’m just a nerd policy wonk, but I think that’s unfair. I am really into fantasy novels too.

Endorsed by: The California Democratic Party, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Sierra Club, San Francisco YIMBY, Grow SF, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, North Coast States Carpenters Union, Dolores Huerta … read more here.

Illustration of a woman with short dark hair, wearing a white blazer over a yellow turtleneck, set against a purple background within a circular frame.

Connie Chan

Job: San Francisco District 1 Supervisor

Age: 47

Residency: Homeowner, has lived in San Francisco since she was 13

Transportation: Driving, public transit, and walking

Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis

Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin

It’s unfair to suggest that standing up for working people stands in the way of progress. As Budget Chair, I delivered a unanimous balanced budget, restored $28 million for essential services and established a $400 million reserve to protect San Franciscans from Trump’s cuts. I’ve supported thousands of homes and faster affordable housing approvals.

Congress has a different role than state and local governments. I’ll fight to lower the cost of living by ending Trump’s wars, investing in affordable housing, enacting Medicare for All and strengthening worker protections. My measure of progress is whether working people’s lives get better.

Endorsed by: Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, Congressman Ro Khanna, California Federation of Labor Unions, SEIU California, San Francisco Labor Council, Working Families Party, San Francisco Tenant’s Union … read more here.

Candidates are ordered alphabetically and rotated each week. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at io@missionlocal.com or yujie@missionlocal.com.  

Election Day is on Nov. 3, 2026. You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.