Nancy Pelosi Announces Congressional Retirement
After 38 years representing San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi, 85, announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection when her term ends in January 2027. The California Democrat has been the first and only woman to serve as Speaker of the House, holding the position during two separate periods: 2007–2011 and 2019–2023.
In a video message released Thursday, 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.”
38 Years: By the Numbers
(1987–2027)
(2 non-consecutive terms)
House Speaker in U.S. History
Retiring After Historic Tenure
American Rescue Plan ($1.9T) + Infrastructure Bill ($1.2T) + Inflation Reduction Act ($369B climate)
A Journey Through Nearly Four Decades
Pelosi first entered Congress in 1987 at age 47, winning a special election to represent San Francisco’s congressional district. Her first speech on the House floor focused on combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic, an issue that would shape her early career priorities in Congress.
Her rise through Democratic leadership ranks accelerated steadily. In 2007, she achieved a historic milestone when elected Speaker of the House, becoming the first woman in U.S. history to hold the position. The Constitution requires the House to choose a Speaker. By federal law, the Speaker is next in the presidential line of succession after the Vice President.
After Democrats lost the House majority in 2011, Pelosi served as House Minority Leader. She returned to the speakership in 2019 after Democrats regained control, becoming the first person to win non-consecutive speaker terms in six decades.
Major Legislative Achievements
During her tenure, Pelosi was central to passing transformative legislation. She served as a primary strategist in passing the Affordable Care Act in 2010, landmark healthcare legislation that expanded coverage to millions of Americans.
Biden Administration Legislation
The Equality Act, which Pelosi’s House passed twice (in 2019 and 2021), did not become law due to Senate opposition.
Confrontations During Trump Administration
Pelosi’s second speaker term was defined by direct clashes with former President Donald Trump. She led two impeachment efforts against him. The first, in 2019, centered on his interactions with Ukraine and potential misuse of military aid. The second, in 2021, followed the January 6 Capitol riot, with Pelosi and House Democrats accusing Trump of inciting the violence. Both impeachments failed to achieve conviction in the Republican-controlled Senate.
In February 2020, during Trump’s State of the Union address, Pelosi tore up a copy of his speech while seated directly behind him, a moment broadcast live to national audiences and widely circulated in media coverage.
Recent Political Work and Influence
Even after stepping back as House Democratic leader in 2022, Pelosi remained a significant political force. She directed substantial fundraising efforts toward Proposition 50, a California measure that redraws congressional districts. Passed in November 2024 with over 63% support, the proposition is designed to create conditions favoring Democratic candidates, with analyses projecting potential gains of up to five seats for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections.
The announcement of her retirement came two days after Proposition 50’s passage, representing a final legislative victory in her political career.
Political Roots and Personal Life
Pelosi grew up in Baltimore’s Little Italy neighborhood, the daughter of Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., who served as a U.S. congressman from Maryland and later as mayor of Baltimore. Her brother, Thomas D’Alesandro III, also served as mayor of Baltimore. This political upbringing shaped her approach to legislative negotiation and strategy.
In October 2022, her family experienced a traumatic incident when an intruder broke into her San Francisco home and attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. He suffered a fractured skull and required surgery and extended recovery. The incident drew national attention and highlighted the rising threats against members of Congress and their families.
The End of an Era
With her term ending in January 2027, Pelosi will have represented San Francisco for nearly four decades, witnessing and shaping responses to profound changes in American society—from the AIDS crisis to technological disruption to political polarization. Her retirement closes a chapter in which she fundamentally altered expectations about women’s roles in political leadership at the highest levels.
For official statements and press releases, visit Pelosi’s congressional website. More information about the constitutional role of the Speaker is available from the House History Office.
