Gambiaj.com – (Washington, DC) – Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced she will not seek reelection, marking the end of a 37-year tenure that reshaped American politics and cemented her legacy as one of the most influential — and divisive — figures in Congress.
In a video message posted on social media Thursday, the 85-year-old lawmaker expressed deep gratitude to her San Francisco constituents, saying her greatest honor was to stand in the House chamber and speak on their behalf.
“I will not be seeking reelection to Congress,” Pelosi said. “With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative. San Francisco, know your power. We have made history, we have made progress, and we have always led the way.”
Pelosi urged continued civic engagement, calling on Americans to remain “full participants in our democracy.”
A Towering, and Polarising Figure in U.S. Politics
Pelosi’s legacy spans major legislative achievements under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, including the Affordable Care Act, Wall Street reforms, pandemic relief packages, and infrastructure and climate investments.
As Speaker, she became known for her rigorous vote-counting skills and ability to unite a diverse Democratic caucus.
Her tenure also included fierce battles with President Donald Trump, whom she opposed aggressively during his administration. She oversaw two impeachments of President Trump and played a key role in establishing the House committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The aftermath of that attack — and President Trump’s refusal to concede the 2020 election — heightened Pelosi’s warnings about threats to U.S. democratic institutions.
Continued Influence After Leadership Step-Down
Pelosi stepped down from her leadership role in 2023 but remained in Congress as an adviser and trusted mentor to a new generation of Democratic leaders, led by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. She continued to wield considerable influence, particularly as a party strategist and fundraiser.
She was notably involved in persuading President Biden to step aside during the last election cycle and recently helped secure passage of Proposition 50, a California redistricting measure aimed at strengthening Democrats in future congressional races.
Jeffries praised Pelosi’s career in glowing terms following her announcement, calling her “a legendary and transformational leader” who “is the greatest Speaker of all time.”
A Career Marked by Power and Personal Sacrifice
Pelosi entered Congress in 1987 after years of Democratic organizing in California. She rose rapidly, eventually breaking the congressional glass ceiling when she became Speaker in 2007 — a role she would reclaim in 2019.
Her prominence also came with a personal cost. In 2022, her husband, Paul Pelosi, was violently attacked in their San Francisco home, an incident authorities said targeted the Speaker herself.
When announcing her departure from leadership later that year, Pelosi warned lawmakers that American democracy remains fragile and must be protected.
“American democracy is majestic — but it is fragile,” she said at the time. “It must be forever defended from forces that wish it harm.”
Her retirement from Congress at the end of this term will close the chapter on one of the most consequential legislative careers in modern U.S. history — one that saw Pelosi celebrated and criticized but never ignored.
