WASHINGTON (TNND) — Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House, said Thursday that she will not seek reelection for her San Francisco seat in 2026.
In a video posted on social media, Pelosi thanks San Francisco voters.
“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.”
Pelosi, 85, led the Democrats in the House for twenty years, 2002 to 2022 and continued to serve in the House after stepping aside as party leader. She made history as the first woman to serve twice as Speaker of the House.
“As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power,” Pelosi said in her announcement. “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.”
Pelosi has served for nearly 40 years in Congress, since 1987, winning every election since.
Pelosi was first elected to the House in a special election to replace Rep. Sala Burton at 47 years old.
Pelosi grew up in Baltimore, where her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., served as a Democratic congressman.
In 2001, Pelosi went up against Rep. Steny Hoyer when House Minority Whip David Bonior stepped down to run for Michigan governor. In a 118-95 vote, Pelosi became the highest-ranking female member of Congress in history.
Just a year later, when House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt stepped down to focus on his presidential campaign, Pelosi beat Rep. Harold Ford Jr., making her the top democrat in the House of Representatives.
Pelosi was elected the first female House speaker in history in 2006, leading her to a transformational time in the House.
Before Pelosi officially announced her retirement, two Democrats already announced their bids for her seat: Sen. Scott Weiner and former tech executive Saikat Chakrabarti.
San Francisco has not seen a competitive congressional election in almost 40 years Pelosi has served in the position.
The “speaker emerita”’s retirement does not come as a surprise, as Pelosi said she would decide what was next for her political future after California voters decided on Prop 50, which would introduce new congressional maps that could give California 5 additional seats in the House.
Prop 50 passed Tuesday night, leading Pelosi to decide to pass the torch.
