San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney has announced that 52 of his Assembly colleagues endorse his run for the state Senate seat now held by Sen. Scott Wiener, Mission Local reported.
Why it matters: The seat only opens if Wiener wins the Nov. 3 race to succeed Nancy Pelosi in Congress. Releasing the list less than two weeks before Election Day signals Haney's confidence in that outcome.
Who is on the list
Endorsers include Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, San Francisco Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Legislative Progressive Caucus Chair Alex Lee. None of Haney's Republican colleagues in the 80-seat Assembly appears on the list, according to Mission Local and Hyperlocal Loop.
Haney's campaign also announced backing from labor groups including Teamsters Joint Council 7 and unions representing construction workers, university faculty, nurses and retail workers. Haney chairs the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development.
How the seat would open
If Wiener wins his congressional race, he would leave the state Senate before his term ends in 2028. Wiener has endorsed Haney for the seat, and Haney has endorsed Wiener for Congress. Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Wiener's opponent, Connie Chan.
The other candidate
Christine Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi's daughter, announced her run for the seat almost a year ago. She is a women's rights attorney and an elected member of the Democratic National Committee.
Pelosi's campaign did not directly address the endorsement list. Spokesperson Jason Galisatus told Mission Local that Pelosi has attended more than 168 grassroots community events in San Francisco and San Mateo County this year.