Many Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have expressed their delight that the 87-year-old Democrat has finally decided to retire from Congress after representing San Francisco for nearly 40 years.
Pelosi's daughter is among those whose names have been floated as her potential successor, but Craig Huey thinks the race is already between two top Democrats.
"The one that has the greatest visibility, Scott Weiner, has done so much damage and evil in the state of California," the pundit notes. "He's radical. He's relentless. He believes in social re-engineering. He comes from a gay and pro-transgender background, so he has been their number one advocate, [and] he's been targeting Christians and targeting churches throughout his career."
Wiener, a state senator, has authored and supported multiple bills expanding LGBTQ+ protections and pressuring faith-based institutions to change hiring practices or facility policies.
He has also supported bans on so-called "conversion therapy" for minors and backed attempts to classify it as a commercial fraudulent practice, intruding on the work of pastors and religious groups that do not affirm gender confusion.
During the height of COVID-19, Wiener also supported stricter public health measures that did not allow churches to meet and worship together.
Huey thinks his biggest challenger will be Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech executive who served as chief of staff to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York).
"He does not have any name recognition, but what he does have is a better organizing ability," Huey notes. "Just like Mamdani, he's able to mobilize, able to wipe out his opponent with his digital marketing and social media. He knows how to do that. It's part of what got AOC elected, and it was AOC who helped get Zohran elected."
California has a "jungle primary" in which all candidates are listed on the same ballot, regardless of party. But with only 7% Republican registration, Huey does not think any Republican candidates have a chance of taking Pelosi's seat.
