SAN FRANCISCO — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday endorsed San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan in the June 2 primary to succeed Pelosi as the city's representative in Congress. She called Chan the candidate who "stands above the rest" and the "leader best prepared to carry forward the fight for San Francisco in the Congress."

"At a time when fundamental freedoms and democratic values are under assault, we need a leader in Congress who is prepared to fight – forcefully and effectively," Pelosi said in a letter announcing the endorsement. She said Chan brings "important lived experience" as a woman, a mother and an Asian American immigrant to the U.S., and wrote that "Connie's story reflects the American dream — the hopes and courage of so many families who came to this country believing in opportunity, dignity, and democracy."

Pelosi pointed to Chan's leadership as a supervisor and chair of the Board of Supervisors' budget committee as evidence that she will fight "tirelessly" to "strengthen our safety net and protect our rights," and praised Chan as "a mom who knows her power and knows her 'why.'"

In a video clip released Monday, Pelosi was seated next to Chan against a backdrop featuring an image of the Golden Gate Bridge. "I know and love this district," she said. "I know the Congress, and I know Connie. I'm proud to endorse Democrat Connie Chan and ask you to join me in electing her to Congress."

Chan was born in Hong Kong and immigrated at age 13 with her mother and younger brother to San Francisco, where her family lived in a one-bedroom apartment in the city's Chinatown neighborhood. If elected, she would be the first Asian American to represent San Francisco in Congress. Chan has ties to local labor unions.

Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Washington since 1987 and announced in November that she would retire rather than seek another term. Under California's primary system, the top two contenders will advance to the November general election, regardless of party. Early mail-in ballots are being sent ahead of the June 2 primary.

State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat known for championing legislation to ramp up housing production and enshrine LGBTQ+ rights, is leading the race by double digits, according to recent polls. Recent surveys show Chan effectively tied for second place with Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech executive who served as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's first chief of staff and has been an outspoken critic of Pelosi and Democratic party leadership. Ocasio-Cortez has declined to endorse anyone in the race.

"I have tremendous respect for Speaker Emerita Pelosi and deep gratitude for everything she has done for our city and our country," Wiener said. "Whoever wins in November will have giant stilettos to fill."