San Francisco, CA. — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection in 2026, marking the end of one of the most consequential congressional careers in modern U.S. history. Pelosi, 85, has represented San Francisco in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1987 and was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House.
In a statement obtained by Fox News, Pelosi said, “After more than three decades of service, I’ve decided the time has come for a new generation to represent the city I love.” She added that she plans to focus on mentoring future Democratic leaders and supporting community initiatives in San Francisco.
Pelosi’s departure will likely set off a fierce political contest in California’s 11th Congressional District — one of the most reliably Democratic seats in the country. According to Politico, several potential successors are already maneuvering to fill her seat, including state Sen. Scott Wiener, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, and Pelosi’s daughter, filmmaker and activist Christine Pelosi.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Wiener has been “quietly building a network” of local supporters in anticipation of Pelosi’s retirement, while Chiu, a former Assembly member and close Pelosi ally, is said to be considering a run if the seat opens. Christine Pelosi, who has served as a Democratic National Committee official, could also emerge as a formidable candidate given her mother’s enduring influence in California politics.
Pelosi first won her seat in a 1987 special election and rose to national prominence as a sharp tactician and prolific fundraiser. During her two terms as Speaker — from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023 — she shepherded major Democratic priorities through Congress, including the Affordable Care Act, the 2009 stimulus package, and multiple pandemic relief bills.
Her tenure was also defined by deep partisan divisions. She twice presided over impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump and became a central figure in Republican campaign rhetoric.
Pelosi maintained a reputation for discipline and strategic acumen within her caucus. “She redefined the speakership and demonstrated that tough, principled leadership can deliver real results,” President Biden said in a statement following her announcement.
While Pelosi is celebrated by Democrats for her legislative accomplishments, conservatives have long criticized her tenure as emblematic of Washington’s political polarization and fiscal excess. Under her leadership, the national debt grew by more than $15 trillion, and House Democrats repeatedly advanced sweeping spending packages and social policies that Republicans argued expanded federal power at the expense of states’ rights. Critics also point to her handling of the 2021 Capitol security failures and her role in partisan impeachment efforts as examples of leadership that deepened divisions rather than bridged them.
Pelosi’s current term will conclude in January 2027. Until then, she plans to continue representing her district and assisting in the transition to new leadership.
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