On November 6, 2025, a seismic shift reverberated through American politics as Nancy Pelosi, the formidable Speaker Emerita and trailblazer for women in government, announced she will not seek reelection to Congress in 2026. Pelosi, aged 85, delivered her decision in a heartfelt video message to San Francisco voters, her words interlaced with sweeping images of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Coit Tower, and other iconic city landmarks. "I will not be seeking re-election to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative," she declared, as reported by NBC News and the Associated Press.
Pelosi’s departure marks the end of nearly four decades representing San Francisco, a tenure that not only shattered glass ceilings but also shaped the trajectory of the Democratic Party and the nation. She leaves behind a legacy as the first—and to date, only—woman to serve as Speaker of the House, a position she held twice, from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. Her influence extended far beyond the gavel, touching virtually every major legislative battle since she first arrived in Washington.
Her announcement came just two days after California’s Prop 50 passed, redrawing the congressional map and adding five new seats to the state’s delegation. Pelosi had previously said she would decide her political future after the proposition’s outcome, and with its passage, she determined it was time to "pass the torch." As she told her constituents, "San Francisco, know your power. We have made history; we have made progress. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy, and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear."
The response to her announcement was immediate and intense, sparking a fierce contest for her deep-blue seat—a race San Francisco hasn’t seen in nearly forty years. Even before Pelosi made her intentions official, at least two Democrats had launched campaigns to succeed her: state Senator Scott Wiener, 55, and Saikat Chakrabarti, 39, a wealthy former tech executive and co-founder of the progressive group Justice Democrats. As reported by NBC News, more contenders are expected to join, making the upcoming primary one of the most closely watched in the country.
Pelosi’s journey to the pinnacle of American politics began in Baltimore in 1940, where she was born into a storied political family. Her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., served as both a Democratic congressman and mayor of Baltimore, and her brother would also go on to hold the mayoral office. Politics, as Pelosi has often reflected, was the family business. She entered Congress in June 1987, winning a special election to replace the late Rep. Sala Burton. Her father lived long enough to see her sworn in, a milestone he witnessed just two months before his own passing.
Once in Washington, Pelosi’s rise was swift and determined. She secured influential assignments on the House Appropriations and Intelligence committees, gaining valuable experience in federal funding and national security. Her first major leadership breakthrough came in 2001 when she defeated Rep. Steny Hoyer for the position of House Minority Whip. Just a year later, she became House Minority Leader after a landslide internal vote, making her the highest-ranking woman in congressional history at that time.
Pelosi’s leadership style was legendary—sometimes polarizing, always effective. She became Speaker of the House in 2007 after Democrats regained the majority, and her first tenure saw the passage of landmark legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank financial reforms, and the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." According to the Associated Press, the 2009-2010 session was one of the most productive since the Johnson era, with Pelosi at the legislative helm. Her oft-repeated rallying cry, "For the children," symbolized her focus on issues like healthcare, children’s welfare, and battling the HIV/AIDS epidemic that ravaged San Francisco in the 1980s and 1990s.
But Pelosi’s career was also defined by resilience in the face of adversity. After the "tea party" wave swept Democrats out of power in 2010, she defied expectations by remaining as minority leader, a move that would prove critical as Democrats rebuilt their ranks. She became the face of opposition to President Donald Trump, leading the charge during his two impeachments and standing up the special committee that investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol. "I eat nails for breakfast," Pelosi was known to joke, a testament to her reputation as a tough, unyielding leader.
The personal costs of public service were never far from her door. In October 2022, an intruder broke into the Pelosi home in San Francisco, attacking her husband Paul with a hammer and leaving him critically injured. The assault, which occurred just days before the midterm elections, rattled the Pelosi family and underscored the growing threats faced by high-profile public figures. Despite the trauma, Pelosi continued her work, fundraising for the party and mentoring a new generation of Democratic leaders.
After Democrats lost control of the House in the 2022 midterms, Pelosi stepped aside as party leader but remained in Congress as "speaker emerita," continuing to shape strategy and provide counsel. Her decision to retire comes as a new generation of leaders—including Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar—take the reins, reflecting a broader transition in Democratic leadership nationwide.
Throughout her career, Pelosi has been both celebrated and criticized. She was a prolific fundraiser—bringing in more than $1 billion for her party, according to the AP—and a polarizing figure, admired by allies for her legislative acumen and resilience, and targeted by opponents for the same. Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan, who succeeded her husband in Congress, summed up the sentiment of many: "She was a very strong leader and did a damn good job leading Democrats." House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called her "an iconic, legendary, transformational figure who has done so many things over so many years to make life better for so many people."
As Pelosi prepares for her final year in office, her legacy is secure: a record of legislative achievement, a model of female leadership, and an indelible mark on the history of Congress. The battle to succeed her will be fierce, but her influence—on San Francisco, the Democratic Party, and the nation—will endure long after she leaves Capitol Hill.
