Nancy Pelosi retiring after nearly 40 years in Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress, ending speculation that one of the most powerful women in American politics would seek another term.

A historic career nears its end

The early-morning announcement on social media from the speaker emerita comes after Californians voted to redraw the state’s congressional maps — a move that could add as many as five Democratic-held seats to Congress to counter Texas Republicans’ move to redraw their own maps at Trump’s request.

"Dear San Francisco," she said in a nearly six-minute video showing the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco's Castro District and the Transamerica Pyramid, signaling the end to her career. "I will not be seeking reelection to Congress." 

Pelosi, appearing upbeat and forward-looking as images of her decades of accomplishments filled the frames, said she would finish out her final year in office. And she left those who sent her to Congress with a call to action to carry on the legacy of agenda-setting both in the U.S. and around the world.

"My message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power," she said. "We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way."

Pelosi said, "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’s departure will cap a storied political career spanning nearly four decades. Her current term ends in January 2027, but her decision not to run in 2026 opens the door for new Democratic voices to seek her San Francisco House seat.

Pelosi, 85, was first elected to the House in 1987 and made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House — a role she held twice during her 38 years in Congress.

On his way to pick up coffee early Thursday, Bryce Loken, one of her constituents, said he was grateful for her service.

"Everyone has a time. Sunsets are beautiful," he said. "At the end of the day, she's given us a lot to be thankful for." 

In her announcement video, Pelosi did not explain why she decided to retire.  Longtime friend and political ally, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, said she appears ready to pass the torch. "She’s at the stage where she’s firmly of the opinion that somebody else needs to do it and can probably learn to do it just as well," Brown said. 

He added that Pelosi is still likely to remain active through the next election cycle and beyond, noting, "Nancy’s still the best of all the fundraising instruments Democrats have. Nancy is not going to change that."

New candidates step forward

Among those entering the race are state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Saikat Chakrabarti, a left-wing activist, software engineer and former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York).

Wiener was among the first to address her retirement.

In an early morning statement, he credited her for pushing to address the AIDS crisis and for fighting for gay rights – and people like him. 

"Speaker Emerita Pelosi is more than a legislator — she is an icon of American politics," Wiener said. "She led the fight for healthcare and obliterated Trump when he tried to repeal it. She passed two economic recovery packages, financial reform, and the biggest investment in climate action in history. She wasn’t just a Speaker of the House — she was the greatest Speaker in United States history."

Chakrabarti also chimed in:  "Thank you, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, for your decades of service that defined a generation of politics and for doing something truly rare in Washington: making room for the next one." 

Leaders thank Pelosi for service

Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who is now mayor of Oakland, credited Pelosi for paving the way for so many women, including herself.  "Thank you, Nancy — for the fierce fight, the unwavering courage, and your decades of service," Lee said on X. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on social media: "Nancy Pelosi has inspired generations. Her courage and conviction to San Francisco, California, and our nation has set the standard for what public service should be. Her impact on this nation is unmatched."

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) also thanked Pelosi for her service Thursday, but couldn't resist a dig at the Democrats, or the perception that the party is moving father to the left with Tuesday night's election victory for Democratic socialist mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani. 

"Even the famous San Francisco liberal is not far left enough for the neo-Marxists," Johnson said. 

Legacy of leadership

A mother of five and a wife, Pelosi became one of the nation’s most consequential legislative leaders, steering the House through wars, economic crisis, a pandemic, and an attack on democracy.

She began her political career as a volunteer for the Democratic Party, rising through the ranks to serve as a state representative to the Democratic National Committee and later as chair of the California Democratic Party’s Northern Division.
Known as a prolific fundraiser, Pelosi chaired the host committee for the 1984 Democratic National Convention at San Francisco’s Moscone Center.

In 1987, she won her first and last competitive race for the House. She won a special election to represent California’s then-5th District, which included San Francisco.

A force in Washington

Pelosi shattered glass ceilings for women in Washington, becoming House minority whip in 2001 and elected as Democratic leader in 2002 — both firsts for a woman.

In 2006, she helped Democrats reclaim the House majority for the first time since 1993, paving the way for her historic swearing-in as Speaker of the House on Jan. 4, 2007.

During her first term with the gavel, Pelosi worked alongside President Barack Obama to pass the Affordable Care Act, one of her defining legislative achievements. She also helped usher in the repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" in 2010, ending the ban on openly gay and lesbian service members.

When Republicans regained control of the House that year, Pelosi was re-elected as minority leader — a position she used to continue shaping the party’s direction.

In 2019, she reclaimed the gavel after Democrats retook the House — becoming the first person in more than 60 years to do so.

Pelosi was on the front line of Democrats' battle with President Donald Trump, overseeing his impeachments in 2019 and 2021.
Her tense relationship with Trump culminated in the viral moment when she tore up his State of the Union speech in 2020.

Under President Joe Biden, Pelosi helped shepherd major legislation through the House, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and Biden’s sweeping climate and social spending bill.

Beyond domestic policy, Pelosi was a vocal advocate for voting rights and gun control. Internationally, she championed human rights, especially in China, and made history in 2022 when she became the first U.S. House speaker in 25 years to visit Taiwan, despite warnings.

Pelosis targeted

Pelosi’s office in Washington was targeted during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. And in the aftermath, she urged lawmakers back to certify Biden’s victory and later created the House select committee to investigate the attack.

In October 2022, her husband, Paul Pelosi, was violently attacked in their San Francisco home while she was in Washington. The attack was politically motivated.

Weeks after the assault, Pelosi announced she would step down from House leadership, marking the end of her historic 19-year run as Democratic leader.

Across the political spectrum, Pelosi was seen as a master strategist — one whose sharp discipline and signature icy stare came to define her leadership style: respected, unrelenting, and rarely ignored, even by members of her own party. 

Pelosi says to stay positive

At the end of her retirement announcement, Pelosi urged America to be positive.

"With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative," Pelosi said in the video. "As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: 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."

 

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