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Would-be Pelosi successors debate who's more progressive in San Francisco congressional race

Wiener defended his AI safety record and apologized for his campaign’s chatbot mimicking his opponent.

Would-be Pelosi successors debate who's more progressive in San Francisco congressional race
Image · CalMatters

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Outlet credibilityCalMatters84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 3, 2026
Oct 2, 2026
tl;dr

Scott Wiener and Connie Chan clashed over AI regulation in a debate for the San Francisco congressional seat being vacated by Nancy Pelosi. Wiener apologized for his campaign’s AI chatbot mimicking Chan, while both candidates argued they would protect workers and the public from AI’s harms.

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Scott Wiener D · CA
● OPEN

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Democratic House candidate and state senator debating AI policy

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic House candidate and San Francisco supervisor debating Wiener

Chan's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose recent suggestion on AI regulation was opposed by the candidates

Nancy Pelosi
D · CA-11

Outgoing representative whose seat is the subject of the race

Candidate who finished behind Chan in the June primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Aaron Peskin, Former San Francisco supervisor who authored a local law Chan cited; Dolores Huerta, Labor activist whose endorsement Wiener cited; Gavin Newsom, California governor who vetoed an earlier AI proposal and later adopted parts of Wiener’s approach

Part of a bigger story

4 OUTLETS
Scott Wiener and Connie Chan Debate AI Regulation

The articles agree that Scott Wiener and Connie Chan debated for San Francisco’s open congressional seat, with AI regulation among the issues discussed. Center outlets treat AI regulation as a central point of dispute; their accounts differ in how much they emphasize housing, Wiener’s campaign chatbot and other debate topics.

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