Nancy Pelosi Ends Historic 37 Years House Career, Won’t Seek Reelection/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection to the U.S. House, ending a historic four-decade career. The first female Speaker, Pelosi played a central role in shaping modern Democratic policy. Her departure signals a generational shift in Democratic leadership amid rising progressive challenges.
Nancy Pelosi Retirement Quick Looks
- Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not run for reelection in 2026, ending a nearly 40-year career in the House.
- Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker, became one of the most powerful figures in U.S. politics.
- In her farewell video, Pelosi urged San Francisco voters to “know your power” and continue civic engagement.
- Pelosi’s decision follows years of leadership, including passage of the Affordable Care Act and two Trump impeachments.
- She played a crucial role in California’s redistricting and Democratic victories in the recent 2025 elections.
- Her exit marks a shift toward new Democratic leadership, as progressives like Saikat Chakrabarti eye her seat.
- Pelosi helped raise over $1 billion for Democrats during her time in office.
- Health concerns and her husband’s 2022 assault contributed to her decision to step aside.
- Pelosi’s legacy includes landmark legislative wins and shaping Democratic resistance to President Trump.
- Her retirement opens a high-stakes race for California’s 11th congressional district.
Deep Look: Pelosi to Retire from House, Capping a Defining Era in U.S. Politics
WASHINGTON — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, one of the most influential figures in modern American politics, announced Thursday she will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. Her departure ends a historic congressional career that spanned nearly four decades, reshaped the Democratic Party, and broke political barriers for women across the country.
Pelosi, 85, made her announcement in a video message to her constituents, affirming she would finish her current term but would not seek another.
“I will not be seeking reelection to Congress,” she said. “San Francisco, know your power.”
Appearing upbeat and reflective, Pelosi underscored the progress her city and the country have made over the years. She urged continued participation in democracy and civic life, signaling her enduring commitment to public service even as she prepares to leave office.
A Political Titan Steps Away
First elected in 1987, Pelosi rose through the ranks of Democratic leadership to become the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House — not once, but twice. Her impact on American politics is difficult to overstate. From the Affordable Care Act to the two impeachments of President Donald Trump, she wielded the gavel with fierce discipline and strategic prowess.
Her legacy includes landmark legislative achievements such as the ACA, Dodd-Frank financial reforms, and the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Under her leadership, the House played a critical role in some of the most significant political battles of the 21st century.
Pelosi’s first speakership, from 2007 to 2011, saw the Democratic majority push through transformative reforms with President Barack Obama in the White House. After Democrats lost the House to the Republican “Tea Party” wave, Pelosi led the opposition before reclaiming the gavel in 2019.
A Fierce Check on Trump
Pelosi’s second tenure as Speaker, from 2019 to 2023, was defined by her opposition to President Trump. Under her leadership, Trump was impeached twice — once for withholding military aid from Ukraine and again for inciting the January 6 Capitol riot. She also established the House Select Committee on January 6, which produced a comprehensive report on Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
In many ways, Pelosi became the face of Democratic resistance, helping lead the party through a politically turbulent era marked by authoritarian threats, misinformation, and institutional breakdowns.
Personal and Political Turning Points
Behind the scenes, Pelosi’s final years in office were marked by personal hardship and political calculations. Her husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked in 2022 by an assailant seeking “Nancy,” a traumatic event that shook the political establishment. His recovery, along with her own health concerns — including a hip fracture during a European trip last year — contributed to her decision.
Additionally, Pelosi played a key role in Joe Biden’s surprise decision to exit the 2024 presidential race, using her political influence to help engineer a path for new leadership.
Though she stepped down as party leader after the 2022 midterms, she remained a powerful figure in Democratic strategy, helping guide California’s redistricting process and assist in a successful 2025 election cycle.
Passing the Torch
Her retirement sets off a high-profile race in California’s 11th congressional district. Progressive strategist Saikat Chakrabarti, known for co-founding Justice Democrats and launching Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political career, is already running. State Sen. Scott Wiener is also rumored to be weighing a campaign.
Pelosi’s vast fundraising network — having raised more than $1 billion for Democrats over her career — and her continued public presence leave an enduring legacy even as she steps back.
Though she frequently brushed off questions about retirement, Pelosi often framed her career through the lens of empowerment.
“My first campaign slogan was ‘a voice that will be heard,’” she said in her farewell. “And with your support, that voice became Speaker of the House.”
A Legacy Cemented
Pelosi’s departure is more than the end of a political era — it’s the closing chapter of a leadership style defined by discipline, strategy, and resilience. She demonstrated how power could be exercised with purpose, and how Democratic values could be legislated with skill and resolve.
Her exit opens a door for new leadership, but it also leaves big shoes to fill. Whether as a party leader, legislator, or strategist, Pelosi’s imprint on American democracy is indelible.
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