Nancy Pelosi, the iconic California Democratic representative and the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, has announced her retirement from Congress. This decision marks the end of a remarkable 20-term congressional career during which Pelosi rose to the zenith of American politics. Known as a formidable force on Capitol Hill for decades, she played a pivotal role in the major legislative successes of both Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s presidencies.
In a heartfelt video released on Thursday morning, Pelosi expressed her pride in representing her city and her country on the global stage. “I was able to represent our city and our country around the world with patriotism and pride,” she stated. “I say to my colleagues in the House all the time, no matter what title they have bestowed upon me, there has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the House floor and say, ‘I speak for the people of San Francisco.’”
Even after stepping down from her leadership role, the 85-year-old Pelosi retained significant influence among Democrats, offering guidance as the party faced challenges during Trump’s second term. In 2024, she was instrumental in urging President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race following a problematic debate performance against Trump. Pelosi's retirement comes at a time when the party is grappling with concerns over aging leadership.
In 2022, she stepped aside as House Democratic leader, stating that the “hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect.” However, she opted to remain in the House, where she was honored with the title of “Speaker Emerita.” As Biden’s presidency faced difficulties, including his eventual withdrawal from the campaign, worries about age and term limits grew among party members.
Pelosi’s announcement comes just days after Californians approved Proposition 50, a redistricting measure aimed at countering Trump’s efforts to solidify House seats in Texas and other Republican strongholds for the upcoming midterm elections. A prominent proponent of the plan, Pelosi refrained from speculating about her future until after the vote.
Her departure from Congress, long anticipated, will significantly impact the primary contest for a coveted open Democratic seat in the heart of San Francisco, a position she has held since 1987. Two candidates have already entered the race, with more expected to follow. Saikat Chakrabarti, a former tech executive and the first chief of staff to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, aims to ignite a populist movement in Silicon Valley with his anti-establishment, anti-corruption rhetoric. Additionally, state senator Scott Wiener has announced his candidacy despite previously indicating he would wait for Pelosi’s retirement.
Nancy Pelosi will leave Washington as one of the most consequential figures in modern congressional history, having significantly expanded the role of women in American politics. Born into a distinguished political family in Baltimore—her father was a congressman and later a mayor—Pelosi developed a keen understanding of precinct politics before relocating to California with her husband, Paul Pelosi.
After years as a stay-at-home mother, Pelosi launched her political career at age 47 by winning a special election to represent San Francisco. Within a few years, she emerged as a key leader within the Democratic caucus, known for her adept legislative tactics, masterful vote-counting, and exceptional fundraising skills. She often attributed her ability to manage a diverse caucus to her experience raising five children.
To her critics, Pelosi became the embodiment of the “San Francisco liberal,” representing the coastal elite and the perceived excesses of the Democratic Party. Conversely, her supporters regard her as one of the most effective legislative strategists of her generation. Pelosi was instrumental in rallying Democratic opposition against George Bush’s attempts to privatize Social Security and was a vocal critic of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a stance that ultimately helped her party regain control of the House in 2006 and elevated her to the speakership in 2007.
As Speaker, Pelosi navigated House Democrats through several pivotal moments, including the 2008 financial crisis and the passage of Obama’s Affordable Care Act in 2010, which stands as her greatest legislative achievement. Her tenacity and confidence became legendary, as she asserted, “I have no doubt that if I decided to run, I would win.” Even after losing the gavel in 2010, she successfully reclaimed leadership eight years later, managing a diverse caucus that included a historic influx of Democratic women and progressive voices.
Over her two-decade tenure, Pelosi became one of the most vilified figures in Republican politics, often targeted in attack ads that portrayed her as a symbol of everything conservatives opposed about Democratic governance. The hostility she faced culminated in violence shortly before the 2022 midterm elections when a hammer-wielding assailant broke into her San Francisco home, attacking her husband and expressing intentions to kidnap her.
Pelosi’s relationship with Trump was especially adversarial, producing some of the most memorable moments of her speakership and highlighting the deep partisan divides in modern Washington. Initially hesitant to impeach Trump, she ultimately presided over his first impeachment in 2019. Their public clashes, including a memorable incident where she tore up a copy of his State of the Union address, became defining images of her tenure. Despite facing accusations of disrespect from Republicans, she defended her actions, calling the address a “manifesto of mistruths.”
On January 6, during the Capitol riot, Pelosi was evacuated from the House floor but insisted that Congress reconvene as soon as possible to ensure a swift return to democratic processes. She led the House through a second impeachment and initiated a Democratic-led committee to investigate the Capitol attack. Despite ongoing Republican claims that she was responsible for security failures that day, the Speaker of the House does not oversee Capitol security.
As Nancy Pelosi prepares to retire, her legacy as a trailblazer for women in politics and a central player in American legislative history remains firmly established. Her contributions to the Democratic Party and American governance have left an indelible mark that will be felt for years to come.
