WASHINGTON – Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that she would not be seeking reelection for another term. The move brings to an end a historic career, during which she became the first and only female Speaker of the House, as well as the first woman to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress.
“I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress,” Pelosi said in a message addressed to San Francisco, the city she has represented in Congress since 1987. “That is why I want you – my fellow San Franciscans – to be the first to know: I will not be seeking re-election to Congress.”
The announcement comes two days after a historic Election Day for women, when Mikie Sherrill became the first female Democrat elected governor of New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger was elected as the first female governor of Virginia.
The election focused on several contentious issues, such as health care and affordability, mirroring some of Pelosi’s own legislative accomplishments, including the Affordable Care Act, Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan.
“Speaker Pelosi has made a profound, powerful, permanent impact on our country,” said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in a statement Thursday. “She has been a brilliant and bold leader, voice for the voiceless and authentic champion of the least, the lost and the left-behind.”
Both House and Senate Democrats lauded the Speaker Emerita following her announcement, praising both her comportment and initiatives as the former speaker.
“Few in American history have been as effective, as driven, as successful as Speaker Pelosi,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a statement Thursday. “She’s transformed practically every corner of American politics, and unquestionably made America a better, stronger nation.”
Pelosi also received praise from some of her colleagues on the other side of the aisle as well, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and others wishing her well in her retirement.
“I will praise Nancy Pelosi. She had an incredible career for her party,” Greene said. “I’m very impressed with her ability to get things done. I wish we could get things done for our party like Nancy Pelosi was able to deliver for her party.”
During her time leading House Democrats, Pelosi faced many challenges, including the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and an attempt on her husband’s life in 2022. Pelosi also had a tumultuous relationship with President Donald Trump, who said he was glad that Pelosi was retiring from Congress.
“I think she did the country a great service by retiring,” Trump said. “I think she was a tremendous liability for the country. I thought she was an evil woman who did a poor job who cost the country a lot in damages and in reputation. I thought she was terrible.”
Pelosi reflected on her time in Congress by thanking her constituents for their support, saying that it was because of their trust that she was able to “represent our city and our country around the world with patriotism and pride.”
“No matter what title they have bestowed upon me – Speaker, Leader, Whip – 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,’” Pelosi said.
Pelosi’s term in Congress ends on Jan. 3, 2027. Going forward, Pelosi urged San Franciscans to continue to lead the way “by remaining full participants in our democracy and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.” Pelosi ended her announcement with a final expression of gratitude to the city she served for 38 years.
“With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative,” Pelosi said. “Thank you, San Francisco, for trusting me to be your voice in Congress.”
