WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi won’t run for reelection next year, bringing an end to a decadeslong career where she made history as the first woman to lead the House of Representatives and served as one of the most powerful voices in the Democratic Party.
Pelosi announced her plans on Thursday morning after weeks of speculation that she would retire after this term after representing San Francisco for 39 years. Her exit leaves open a solid Democratic seat that could result in a competitive primary to replace her.
“With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative,” Pelosi said in her video announcement that was posted to X on Thursday morning. “My message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.”
Pelosi leaves behind a historic legacy in Congress after joining the House in 1987, during which she served as a prolific fundraiser and raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the Democratic Party. While in office, Pelosi was the top House Democrat for 20 years, and made history as the first female speaker in 2007. She ultimately served as speaker twice when she was reelected to the position in 2019.
Pelosi became a household name and somewhat of a hero to the Democratic Party after helping to push through former President Barack Obama’s signature health care bill, legislation on climate change and other historic laws.
With her meteoric rise on the left, Pelosi became a prominent boogeyman for conservatives warning of her liberalism. President Donald Trump has also attacked the top Democrat throughout her tenure, especially after she presided over both of his impeachment trials in his first term.
Top House Democrats praised Pelosi’s legacy shortly after her retirement was announced, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who was Pelosi’s hand-picked successor to lead the party when she stepped down from leadership in 2023.
“Nancy Pelosi’s love of country is surpassed only by that for her beautiful family,” Jeffries said in a statement. “We are indebted to the entire Pelosi family — Paul, their children and grandchildren — for their sacrifice and service. My prayers and gratitude are with them as Speaker Pelosi embarks on this new chapter.”
Even as Pelosi exits the public stage, the Democratic icon is still working behind the scenes to ensure the party’s success — most recently, by assisting California Gov. Gavin Newsom to enact a new congressional map to secure four or five Democratic seats in the midterm elections. That plan was concocted in response to offset Republican redistricting efforts in Texas, and it was approved by voters in a special election on Tuesday.
“Some people go off and they talk about the way the world should be, but they don’t do anything to damn manifest it,” Newsom told supporters after the Proposition 50 initiative passed. “Nancy Pelosi doesn’t go out to try to make points. She makes a difference.”