Scott Wiener set to replace Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco, as Connie Chan concedes

California state lawmaker Scott Wiener appears to have defeated congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s hand-picked successor in her San Francisco congressional district.

Democrat Connie Chan said she does not have a “clear path to victory” in California’s 11th Congressional District, conceding defeat in a post on social media.

“I congratulate Scott Wiener on his election,” she said.

Pelosi, the 86-year-old former House speaker, is retiring from Congress when her term ends in early January.

“San Franciscans voted for results, and we have so much work ahead,” Wiener said in a social media post, listing homebuilding and “making sure people – not massive corporations – decide what works for this country, including on AI” among his priorities.

The Democrat vs Democrat contest split local power brokers.

While Pelosi backed Chan, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and California Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed Wiener instead.

The candidates, both progressive Democrats, have clashed over housing policy and artificial intelligence – resonant issues in a city that has seen an infusion of investment from the AI boom but is also one of the most expensive places to live in the US.

Associated Press and television networks have yet to make a call in the race.

Wiener led by about 11 percentage points with 57 per cent of the estimated vote in as of 5.30pm on Wednesday, according to an AP tally.

It is not yet clear what the final electoral composition will be in the race, as under California’s postal-reliant election system ballots can be received up to a week late if postmarked by Election Day.