Former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has wielded monumental energy in Congress and within the Democratic Get together for many years, introduced on Thursday that she won’t search reelection and can retire from Congress after her time period ends in early 2027.
Pelosi, 85, made her determination public in a video launched Thursday morning that begins as a letter to the individuals of the San Francisco space, whom she has represented within the Home since she was first elected in 1987.
“I can’t be in search of reelection to Congress,” Pelosi says within the practically six-minute video. “With a grateful coronary heart, I stay up for my closing 12 months of service as your proud consultant.”
“As we go ahead, my message to the town I really like is that this: San Francisco, know your energy,” Pelosi says. “We now have made historical past. We now have made progress. We now have all the time led the best way. And now we should proceed to take action by remaining full individuals in our democracy, and combating for the American beliefs we maintain pricey.”
Pelosi’s determination was months within the making. Whereas she had drawn some Democratic challengers in her San Francisco space district, she has repeatedly expressed confidence that she would as soon as once more win her celebration’s nomination, ought to she run once more.
Pelosi served as speaker from 2007 to 2011 and once more from 2019 to 2023. She was the primary lady to ever function Home speaker and constructed a fame for each legislative success, together with passage of the Reasonably priced Care Act, and for shrewd management, together with her affect over Home Democrats extensively seen as unusually robust, whilst she typically confronted critics and complaints. Since leaving the speakership, she has remained a confidant and ally of Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, who’s spearheading Democratic efforts to win again the bulk in 2026.
As not too long ago as final month, Jeffries informed CBS Information he had not had any conversations with Pelosi about whether or not she ought to run for reelection or retire.
“I strongly assist any determination that she makes,” Jeffries stated. “She is a legendary member of Congress, a legendary public servant.”
Home Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, a member of the California delegation, additionally praised Pelosi’s contributions, together with her efforts this week to move Proposition 50, a poll redistricting initiative that might web further Democratic seats within the state.
“No person desires to get in her method when she desires to attain a political end result, and she or he performed that function and lifted up the delegation and gave us the assistance and assist that we wanted, really a crew effort,” Aguilar stated. “She’s the best of all time.”
Pelosi’s video announcement was not solely a reveal of her determination, however a testomony to her profession and accomplishments.
Talking over a montage of San Francisco landmarks, Pelosi says within the video that the town has “all the time been synonymous with the longer term” and with variety. Pelosi then praises the town for addressing challenges head on, together with HIV/AIDS, which has lengthy been a focus for her in Congress, the place she advocated for coverage adjustments and funding.
She then speaks within the video over smooth, piano music with reflections that weave collectively her views on her district and the nation with an pressing, future-focused message in regards to the continued want for management, be it on home coverage or international coverage, the place she constructed a profession as an outspoken proponent of human rights.
Pelosi additionally cites her Roman Catholic religion as a keystone of her political life and quotes St. Francis of Assisi.
