This blog post recaps a March political forum at Victory Hall. Three leading candidates took the spotlight as they aim to succeed Nancy Pelosi in California’s 11th congressional district.
The event drew more than 200 residents. Chinatown heritage, immigrant stories, and foreign-policy questions all resonated with Chinese American voters who influence Marin County towns and San Francisco itself.
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For readers in San Rafael, Mill Valley, Novato, and beyond, the evening offered a peek into how local service, community ties, and national policy all collide in the race.
Victory Hall forum: a three-way showdown on Taiwan, housing, and community safety
The March forum marked the first time the top contenders—Connie Chan, Scott Wiener, and Saikat Chakrabarti—shared a stage since their heated January debate. Taiwan took center stage, reflecting its importance to Chinese American voters, who make up a big chunk of the district’s electorate.
Three Chinese political clubs organized the event. They enforced strict interpreter rules to ensure accurate translation for a mostly monolingual audience across Marin and San Francisco’s Chinatown.
On stage, the candidates juggled issues like housing, healthcare access, and protecting against anti-Asian hate. But their foreign-policy positions split in different directions.
An unexpected candidate, Marie Hurabiell, stepped in as a conservative option with ties to the San Francisco mayoral circle. The room buzzed with the kind of energy you’d expect in Marin’s Fairfax, San Anselmo, or Larkspur neighborhoods.
Voters here seem to want both effective constituent service and thoughtful national policy. Who can blame them?
Connie Chan: immigrant roots, Cantonese fluency, and a personal lens on policy
Connie Chan leaned into her Chinatown roots and her years in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She highlighted the immigrant story that rings true across Marin County’s diverse communities—from Corte Madera to Sausalito.
She sidestepped a direct answer about possible U.S. military intervention in Taiwan. Instead, she called for open dialogue between Taiwan and China, emphasizing how personal this issue feels to voters with cross-border family and business ties.
In Marin towns where Cantonese-speaking residents gather at community centers in San Rafael or San Anselmo, Chan’s fluency really stood out. It gave voters a sense of genuine connection and showed she values culturally informed outreach and language access in public service.
Scott Wiener: a record of local policy and a steady hand for the district
Scott Wiener focused on a long list of local policy wins—housing initiatives, expanded healthcare access, and efforts to counter anti-Asian hate. He cast himself as a pragmatic, results-driven choice who’s spent years tackling the day-to-day needs of constituents in San Francisco’s Western Addition.
Wiener pointed out his work on regional housing and transportation policy that links San Francisco to Marin. His approach spoke to Marinites who want reliable representation on issues that affect families in Mill Valley and San Rafael, but who also care about bigger federal questions.
Saikat Chakrabarti: a national progressive stance and calls to rethink U.S.-China policy
Saikat Chakrabarti drew sustained applause for his critique of Pelosi’s 2022 Taiwan visit. He called for a rethink of the Cold War posture toward China.
He pushed for a more assertive U.S. stance in defense of Taiwan. At the same time, he championed a progressive, reform-driven national agenda.
In Marin County, voters often weigh national ideology against local impact. Chakrabarti’s platform grabbed the attention of those hungry for bold change—especially younger folks in San Rafael and Novato who want transformational policies at the federal level.
Local implications for Marin County voters: what to watch as the race unfolds
As the campaign unfolds, Marin County residents—whether they live near the Corte Madera Creek or along the Marin Headlands—will listen for how each candidate turns global tensions into real benefits at home.
The forum highlighted the balance between local constituent service and foreign-policy stances. This push and pull echoes from the hills of Fairfax to the Sausalito waterfront.
From San Anselmo to Sausalito, residents are still watching. How will these candidates turn big ideas into practical solutions that keep Marin’s communities safe, affordable, and green? That’s the question hanging in the air right now.
Here is the source article for this story: Race for Rep. Pelosi’s seat goes to Chinatown where Taiwan takes stage
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