Can Connie Chan become San Francisco’s first Asian-American in Congress?

On a recent warm Thursday evening, supporters gathered at San Francisco's United Irish Cultural Centre to hear Connie Chan, a candidate running for California's 11th congressional district. Born in Hong Kong, Chan immigrated to the United States at the age of 13 and is now a San Francisco supervisor. She hopes to succeed long-time Democratic powerhouse Nancy Pelosi, who recently announced her retirement and endorsed Chan. If elected, Chan would become the first Asian-American to represent the city in Congress.

Chan faces a strong opponent in Scott Wiener, a politician who has been a fixture in San Francisco Democratic circles since 2004. Wiener has built strong ties with Asian-Americans, championed "yes in my backyard" (Yimby) housing policies, and established himself as a formidable fundraiser. As Chan takes the stage, she shares her life story, emphasizing hard work, love of freedom, and her family's arrival with almost nothing before finding success as a volunteer interpreter and social activist.

During her speech, Chan emphasizes the importance of being the conscience not only for San Francisco but for the United States and the world. She urges the audience to stand in solidarity and vote for peace around the globe. With San Francisco being a hub of liberalism and multiculturalism, it remains to be seen whether Chan's approach to China will differ from Pelosi's.

While some argue that Chan's cross-cultural roots could help navigate trans-Pacific tensions, others note that she devoted nearly a third of her speech to Gaza, Ireland, and oppression.

The election is significant for several reasons, as the Asian-American community could play a pivotal role in the city's political landscape. Despite making up a third of San Francisco's population, the city has never had an Asian-American representative in Congress. Russell Jeung, an Asian-American studies professor at San Francisco State University, believes that Chan's advocacy and use of language could make a strong statement that Asians are a part of the system and have a stake in the community.

In the primary election, Wiener garnered 41% of the vote against Chan's 30%. However, after Saikat Chakrabarti dropped out and supported Chan, the race has tightened. Current polls show Wiener leading by 6 percentage points, but a betting site gives Chan a 22% chance of winning. Ultimately, the outcome will depend on Asian-American turnout.