Longtime U.S. House member and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection in 2026, bringing a nearly four-decade congressional career to a close.
End of an Era for Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi, 85, released a video message to her San Francisco constituents declaring, “I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative.” She has served since 1987, becoming the first woman to hold the role of Speaker of the House.
In her message, Pelosi addressed her beloved city directly: “San Francisco, know your power. We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so.” Her decision comes amid a Democratic Party push to elevate younger leaders and as the race to succeed her in her liberal San Francisco-area district has already begun.
Pelosi’s legislative record includes pivotal roles in such landmark laws as the Affordable Care Act and major climate and infrastructure initiatives. She served two separate terms as Speaker, from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, navigating narrow majorities and fierce opposition.
Her leadership style was widely described as determined, disciplined and often forceful. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich once acknowledged that “you could argue she’s been the strongest speaker in history.” Pelosi also played a central role in the response to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and in the impeachment processes of former President Donald Trump.
Democrats quickly praised her career. Barack Obama said that Pelosi “will go down in history as one of the best speakers the House of Representatives has ever had.” Hakeem Jeffries, who succeeded her in leadership, called her tenure “transformational.”
Still, her departure also signals opportunity. In her district, progressive figure Saikat Chakrabarti and moderate state Senator Scott Wiener have already announced runs for the seat she is vacating. Her exit comes after the passage of a California redistricting measure supported by Democrats — a capstone to her long influence in state and national politics.
In the video, Pelosi reflected on her decades of public service and said she is “honored to have stood on the House floor and said, ‘I speak for the people of San Francisco.’” She noted that “there has been no greater honor for me than to speak for the people of San Francisco.”
As she prepares to leave the chamber at the end of her term in January 2027, Pelosi said she hopes her successor will carry forward the “power” of her city and the promise of progress. The announcement marks the conclusion of one of the most influential legislative careers in modern U.S. history.