Days before San Francisco votes on Nancy Pelosi's successor, a former candidate has accused state Sen. Scott Wiener's campaign of breaking federal campaign finance law.

The complaint

Saikat Chakrabarti filed the complaint with the Federal Election Commission on Friday, Oct. 30, according to The Washington Sun. It targets Wiener's House campaign and Families for an Affordable San Francisco, a super PAC backing him. Chakrabarti ran in the primary but did not advance. He has endorsed Supervisor Connie Chan and funded another super PAC, SF Solidarity, that supports her.

Super PACs used to be barred from coordinating with campaigns. A 2024 FEC advisory opinion now lets them work together on canvassing, Mission Local explained. The complaint says Wiener's campaign went further:

  • Several staff members are paid by both the campaign and the PAC, which the complaint says could mean the PAC paid for work beyond canvassing. The Sun counted at least eight overlapping staffers in third-quarter filings.
  • The two share costs for office space, food and a DJ at a party. That is legal if the campaign pays fair market value, but Mission Local reported that the campaign reimbursed exactly one third of those costs. The complaint argues a fixed rate shows the costs weren't valued properly.

"Families for an Affordable San Francisco appears to be subsidizing Mr. Wiener's campaign operations, using funds raised outside of federal contribution limits," Chakrabarti wrote, according to the Sun.

The response

Wiener spokesperson Joe Arellano called it a ploy to help Chan. "Now, on the eve of the election, he's at it again filing false complaints in a desperate attempt to try and steer votes to Connie Chan," Arellano told Mission Local. A spokesperson for the super PAC told the Sun earlier this month that it fully complies with campaign finance law.

What happens next

The FEC will ask the campaign to respond and then decide whether to investigate. The Sun noted that the commission has not had the four commissioners it needs to take major action for about 18 months. Nothing will be decided before Tuesday. For more on the race, see the final days of the Wiener-Chan race.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.