Nancy Pelosi, the Grand Dame of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced today that she will not seek another term representing California’s 11th Congressional District. She was first elected to the House in 1987 and served as Speaker for seven years, and in caucus leadership positions for 20. She made history in 2007 when she became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. Ms. Pelosi went toe-to-toe with seven presidents and presided over some of the most monumental pieces of legislation in our country’s history.

Pelosi’s Announcement

In her retirement video, Ms. Pelosi said.

“I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative. As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: 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.”

Pelosi is the longest-serving Speaker since Sam Rayburn (D-TX) retired in 1961 after serving 17 years as the House boss. Included among the signature pieces of legislation she ushered through Congress were the post-pandemic relief bill and the blockbuster, sweeping infrastructure and climate packages. Her success could be attributed to her networking and fundraising abilities, as well as her uncanny ability to keep her caucus unified.

Troubled Times

Ms. Pelosi faced several major political and personal challenges in the past few years of her career. Her constant battles with President Trump certainly contributed to her angst. She led the House through two impeachments of the President, only to see the Senate fail to take action on either. She scrambled to safety during the January 6, 2021, violent attack on the Capitol, with the sounds of “Kill Pelosi” echoing through the building.

Some were surprised that Pelosi remained in Congress after stepping down from caucus leadership at the start of 2023. Most of her brethren in the same situation departed the body entirely after their leadership reign ended. And finally, there was the brutal home invasion and attack on her husband, Paul, in late 2022 that saw him bludgeoned by a hammer-wielding intruder. Police later concluded that Ms. Pelosi had been the intended target.

Tributes and Successes

Pelosi played a significant role in the recent ballot referendum victory of California Proposition 50. The redistricting effort, overwhelmingly supported by California voters, is a big step toward stemming the tide of Republicans’ campaign to redraw “red state” House maps. In 2024, as a tribute to her enormous contributions to our country, President Joe Biden awarded her the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Her successor as Speaker, Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), expressed the thoughts of many today when he said.

“Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi is an iconic, heroic, trailblazing, legendary, and transformational leader. She is the greatest Speaker of all time. The United States is a much better nation today because Nancy Pelosi dedicated her life to serving the children, the climate, the country, and the American people.