San Francisco musical chairs, with the 48 Hills crew (Tim Redmond and Marke B.)

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:

Pelosi's Legacy:

• 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).”

Nancy's Replacement?

• 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 running for state Senate

• 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:

Queer activists 'Scare the State' at ICE protest on Halloween - 48 hills

• Gay Shame