Washington, D.C. — Nancy Pelosi, the first and only woman ever to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced Thursday she will not seek reelection in 2026, signaling the close of one of the most influential political careers in modern American history.
In a video message addressed to her constituents, the 85-year-old Democrat from San Francisco reflected on nearly four decades of service in Congress.
“I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress… I will not be seeking reelection to Congress,” Pelosi said, adding, “San Francisco, know your power.”
Pelosi’s announcement follows growing speculation within Democratic circles that she would retire at the end of her current term. This is her first full term back in the rank-and-file after stepping aside from leadership in late 2022.
A Historic Political Trailblazer
Pelosi was first elected in 1987 and shattered a 218-year barrier in 2007 when she became the nation’s first female Speaker. She would later return to the role in 2019, becoming the first person in six decades to serve non-consecutive terms.
During her speakership, Pelosi was widely credited with keeping her party united — often avoiding high-profile defeats that have become common under recent GOP majorities.
Political Clout Until the Last Stretch
Just days before her announcement, California voters approved Proposition 50 — a major redistricting measure expected to benefit Democrats in the 2026 midterms. Pelosi was instrumental in fundraising tens of millions of dollars to support the effort.
The victory served as a symbolic bookend to a career defined by tactical discipline, party strategy, and relentless fundraising power.
Battles with Donald Trump
Pelosi’s legacy is inseparable from her high-profile clashes with former President Donald Trump. She presided over both of Trump’s impeachments and became a cultural symbol of Democratic resistance — including the now-iconic moment when she tore up Trump’s State of the Union speech on live television.
The hostility peaked after the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, when rioters invaded Pelosi’s office and terrorized her staff.
Legislative Legacy Beyond Trump
Over the course of seven presidencies, Pelosi has cast consequential votes on issues including:
The Iraq War authorization, which she opposed
The impeachment of President Bill Clinton, which she also opposed
The Affordable Care Act, where she served as the chief architect
COVID-19 recovery packages during the Biden administration
Her leadership helped shape the Affordable Care Act into the defining domestic policy achievement of the 21st century.
A Party Transformed
During Pelosi’s tenure, the Democratic Party shifted steadily left on key social issues. Once-fractured caucuses now show near-uniform support for abortion rights, LGBTQ protections, and healthcare access — a transformation she helped navigate.
Deep Roots in Politics
Born into a political family in Baltimore’s Little Italy neighborhood, Pelosi grew up following her father through the halls of Congress. Colleagues often credit her sharp negotiating instincts to those early years.
Personal Costs of Leadership
Pelosi has spoken sparingly about the personal and political challenges of being a woman in power. In recent years, polarization turned violent when her husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked in their San Francisco home in 2022.
He survived with a fractured skull, and the attack weighed heavily on her decision to step aside from leadership.
Looking Ahead
Despite her retirement from Congress, Pelosi is unlikely to fade quietly from Democratic politics. With deep national fundraising networks and an unmatched influence in California, she may continue shaping the party’s direction from outside Washington.
As she enters her final year in office, Pelosi leaves behind a record unmatched by any woman in U.S. political history — and a Democratic caucus dramatically reshaped by her decades-long pursuit of power, policy, and party unity.