Pelosi Ends Historic Congressional Career, Will Not Seek Reelection

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday she will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, concluding a remarkable four-decade career that saw her become the first woman to serve as Speaker and one of the most influential figures in American political history.

“I will not be seeking reelection to Congress,” Pelosi stated in a video address to her constituents. The 85-year-old Democrat, who has represented San Francisco since 1987, appeared upbeat as she reflected on her accomplishments while outlining a vision for the future.

“My message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power,” she said. “We have made history. We have made progress. 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’s decision reverberates across Washington and California, coming amid a broader generational transition in Democratic leadership. Her announcement follows her pivotal behind-the-scenes role in President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, suggesting a conscious effort to pass the torch to new leadership.

During her first tenure as Speaker from 2007 to 2011, Pelosi guided several landmark pieces of legislation through Congress, including the Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank financial reforms following the Great Recession, and the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy affecting LGBTQ service members. Working alongside President Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the 2009-2010 congressional session ranks among the most productive since Lyndon Johnson’s presidency.

When Democrats lost their majority in the 2010 midterms amid the conservative “tea party” movement, Pelosi was undeterred. She strategically recruited candidates, particularly women, to run in the 2018 midterm elections, positioning Democrats as the resistance to President Donald Trump. This effort succeeded in helping Democrats reclaim the House, making Pelosi the first person in over 50 years to regain the Speaker’s gavel.

Her second term as Speaker from 2019 to 2023 proved equally consequential, particularly in her role as a check on Trump’s presidency. Under her leadership, the House impeached Trump twice – first in 2019 for withholding U.S. aid to Ukraine and again in 2021 following the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Though the Senate acquitted Trump in both instances, Pelosi established the January 6 special committee that produced a comprehensive 1,000-page report documenting the events surrounding the Capitol insurrection.

Pelosi’s decision to step aside comes as she faced potential primary challenges in 2026. Saikat Chakrabarti, who helped engineer Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s rise in New York, has announced his candidacy, while California State Senator Scott Wiener is reportedly considering a run.

Her retirement also comes three years after her husband Paul suffered a brutal attack at their San Francisco home when an intruder demanding to know “Where is Nancy?” assaulted him with a hammer. The 2022 attack, just days before the midterm elections, highlighted the increasingly dangerous political environment facing public officials.

Throughout her career, Pelosi demonstrated remarkable resilience. Last year, she fractured her hip during a congressional delegation visit to Europe, yet continued with official appearances before seeking medical treatment – a testament to her determination.

Beyond her legislative achievements, Pelosi has been an unmatched fundraiser for the Democratic Party, raising more than $1 billion throughout her career. After Democrats lost their House majority in the 2022 midterms, she stepped down from leadership but chose to remain in Congress, adopting the “Speaker Emerita” title that created a new model for former congressional leaders.

Pelosi’s announcement, while marking the end of her congressional service, concluded with a call to action that suggests she envisions an active role in civic life beyond formal office. “We have always led the way,” she reminded her constituents, “And now we must continue to do so.”