Endorsement Secured on February 22 Boosts Congressional Bid Scott Wiener clinched the California Democratic Party’s endorsement on Sunday, Feb. 22, positioning him as the front‑runner to replace Nancy Pelosi in the U.S. House [1]. The endorsement arrives amid a crowded primary and follows Wiener’s 15‑year tenure in San Francisco city government and the state legislature [1]. Party officials highlighted his legislative experience as a model of “San Francisco liberalism” on the national stage [1].

Record Includes Controversial Mask Ban and Climate Disclosure Bills Wiener’s record features a federal‑agent mask ban that a judge later blocked, marking a rare legal defeat for his agenda [1]. He also authored protections for transgender youth, mandated climate‑emissions disclosures for large corporations, and offered tax incentives for apartment construction near transit hubs [1]. The “No Kings Act,” another of his proposals, would allow civil suits against federal officials for constitutional violations [1]. These bills illustrate his aggressive, issue‑driven approach to state policy [1].

Gaza Terminology Shift Provokes Jewish and Pro‑Palestinian Criticism Initially avoiding the term “genocide” when describing Israel’s war in Gaza, Wiener reversed course in early 2026 and declared the actions amounted to genocide [1]. The shift triggered criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and led to his resignation as co‑chair of the state Legislative Jewish Caucus [1]. Pro‑Palestinian activists also condemned his earlier hesitation, framing the reversal as politically motivated [1]. The controversy underscores the growing sensitivity of Democratic candidates to Israel‑Palestine language [1].

Legislative Defeats Highlight Limits of Progressive Agenda Wiener’s attempts to legalize psychedelic mushroom decriminalization failed to secure Senate approval, marking one of his few legislative losses [1]. A separate bill seeking to hold oil and gas companies liable for climate‑related disasters also stalled in committee [1]. These defeats reveal the limits of his progressive agenda despite his overall high success rate [1].

Housing and LGBTQ Policies Draw Intra‑Party and Republican Opposition Republican opponents have labeled Wiener’s LGBTQ‑rights legislation “offensive,” using it as a campaign attack line [1]. Progressive former supervisor Aaron Peskin criticized a Wiener‑drafted housing law, arguing it hampers local efforts to increase affordable units [1]. The housing criticism reflects intra‑party tension over San Francisco’s high cost of living and development strategy [1]. Wiener’s dual focus on LGBTQ protections and transit‑oriented housing continues to generate both external and internal opposition [1].

Democratic Voter Shift on Israel May Undermine Campaign Polls released in 2025 show American sympathy for Israel at a historic low, with Democrats increasingly supportive of Palestinian perspectives [1]. Political consultant Jim Ross warned that Wiener’s Gaza stance could become a liability in the primary electorate [1]. The shifting sentiment adds another layer of risk to Wiener’s bid for the open congressional seat [1].