Today we're talking with two of our favorite San Francisco journalists in Tim Redmond and Marke B., founders of 48 Hills.

Tim is a longtime political and investigative reporter of San Francisco politics, covering the scene for over three decades. He was also the longtime Executive Editor of the SF Bay Guardian.

Marke B., our sweet baby boy, has been on the show before. He's the publisher and arts & culture editor for 48 Hills, as well as the co-owner of The Stud, an iconic San Francisco gay bar.

Today we're covering the political musical chairs taking place in the Bay due to Nancy Pelosi's recent announcement that she will not be running for reelection in the US House:

Rep. Nancy Pelosi's real legacy - 48 hills

Hand-picked by the Burton CA Dem machine to run for Congress

Helped Dem Party control the House in critical years; Ryan Act during the AIDS crisis; ACA (though never gave credence to single-payer); tore up Trump speech on national TV

“She showed only disdain for the left wing of the party, ignoring and belittling AOC and The Squad, dismissing the Green New Deal as “the Green Dream, or whatever they call it,” and helping ensure that Sen. Bernie Sanders didn’t become the party’s nominee for president.” Fought taxing the rich (which included multimillionaire husband).

D8 supe race will create fascinating political battle - 48 hills 

“Pelosi is strongly supporting her aide, Gary McCoy. McCoy, who will have a kickoff in the Castro this weekend, will also have access to Pelosi’s formidable fundraising machine.”

“The incumbent supe, Rafael Mandleman, former D8 Sup Bevan Dufty, and possibly the mayor … are backing Manny Yekutiel, who owns Manny’s the Mission District cafe that is a gathering spot for political events (and has created its own controversy).”

These are the top contenders to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress - SF Chronicle (free link)

Scott Weiner

Served in the state senate since 2016 representing SF, previously member of the board of supes + city attorney's office

Launched his bid for the seat last month, got tired after waiting a year for Pelosi to announce retirement

Legislative focus: Known for tackling housing density, transgender rights, and transit funding (CEQA repeal)

Political standing: Strong support from some groups (YIMBYs) and strong opposition from others (conservatives, progressives)

Saikat Chakrabarti

Centimillionaire, former Stripe engineer

Served as a top campaign aide to AOC and as director of organizing technology on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign

Advocates for “new ideas” and a more aggressive approach to confronting the far-right movement in politics.

Is he “SF’s Zohran”? (No.)

Connie Chan

Represents Richmond District on Board of Supervisors since 2021

Progressive, aligned with labor, led SF Board budget committee.

Anti-Weiner: pro-housing, affordability absolutist, hated by YIMBYs

Chan has not publicly stated her intention to run for Pelosi’s seat, but former Sup. Aaron Peskin believes she would give a congressional campaign serious consideration if Pelosi retired

Where is Christine Pelosi???

London Breed?

Christine Pelosi is running for office, but not for her mom's congressional seat

“Four days after the Speaker Emerita said she would retire in 2026 after more than 38 years in Congress, the daughter put to rest speculation she would run for her mother's 11th Congressional District seat.”

Instead, she is setting her sights on state Sen. Scott Wiener's seat, after he entered the 2026 race to fill the former House speaker's seat.

We're also covering:

Gay Shame and Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT)

“Fags and Dykes, we all hate ICE,” one chant went. “Bottoms, tops: We all hate cops!” 

Drag queen snatched by ICE released with asylum: 'It was terrible' - 48 hills  

“Rivers was taken first to the San Francisco ICE Field Office and then transferred to the Golden State Annex detention center in McFarland, California, where she spent nearly three months. She described being held in freezing, overcrowded cells.”

“‘We had to stand for hours because there was no space to sit, no air, and we were freezing,’ she said.”

“Despite informing staff that she was part of the LGBTQ community, Rivers said there was no protection from harassment or sexual violence.”

'Let's bring some of those vittles back to the table:' What the Nov. 4 election means - 48 hills 

Zohran Mamdani brings a new energy and direction to the Democratic Party. Why couldn’t someone like him come from someplace like California, which is full of Democrats? We seem to be stuck with wingless wonders like Pelosi, Newsom, Harris &c. 

“Why has New York, which is generally considered a less progressive city, moved in the direction of economic democracy, while the supposedly liberal San Francisco is under the control of billionaires?”

“Daniel Lurie can operate with the support of a very big-money political operation, and can depend on Gov. Gavin Newson, who mostly shares his agenda. Mamdani will be fighting the New York big money from Day One, and can’t raise taxes on the rich without the permission of the governor, who so far is siding with the big money and won’t go along.”

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