Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to hold the Speaker's office and a formidable force in American politics, announced she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House, concluding a nearly 40-year career.
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita and a towering figure in American politics, has announced she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House, bringing to a close her nearly 40-year career representing San Francisco. Pelosi, 85, made the decision public in a video address, confirming she will finish her current term and urging her constituents to continue their fight for American ideals. Her departure, while not entirely unexpected, has sent ripples through Washington and California, signaling the end of an era for one of the nation's most powerful political leaders. Throughout her tenure, Pelosi shattered glass ceilings as the first woman Speaker of the House, played a pivotal role in major legislative achievements like the Affordable Care Act, and remained a central figure in Democratic Party strategy. Former President Barack Obama praised her as "one of the best speakers the House of Representatives has ever had." Her decision follows recent personal challenges, including a hip fracture and a severe home invasion attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, as well as orchestrating Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and facing potential primary challenges.
