Nancy Pelosi bows out after 40 years in Congress

Former US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has announced she will not seek reelection, marking the end of a historic political career that spanned nearly four decades.

Pelosi, 85, who represented San Francisco since 1987, revealed her decision in a video message on Thursday, saying she would complete her final year in office before stepping aside.

“I will not be seeking reelection to Congress,” she said. “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.”

Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, remains one of the most influential figures in modern American politics. She played key roles in passing landmark legislation such as the Affordable Care Act and steering the Democratic Party through some of its most challenging moments.

Her announcement comes as Washington and California brace for a generational shift, with several veteran politicians stepping aside ahead of next year’s elections.

Despite leaving Congress, Pelosi remains a powerful figure within the Democratic Party. She has raised more than $1 billion for Democratic candidates during her career and continues to wield influence behind the scenes.

Reports suggest her decision was influenced by a mix of personal and political factors. Her husband, Paul Pelosi, continues to recover from a brutal hammer attack at their San Francisco home three years ago, while Pelosi herself suffered a hip injury last year during a diplomatic trip to Europe.

The former Speaker also played a quiet but decisive role in orchestrating Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, reinforcing her reputation as a shrewd political operator.

Pelosi’s departure is expected to spark a heated race for her congressional seat, with progressive activist Saikat Chakrabarti and California State Senator Scott Wiener among those tipped to contest.

Her exit signals the close of a political era in Washington. Pelosi, often described as one of the most powerful women in American history, said she hoped her decision would inspire a new generation to carry forward the fight for democracy and American ideals.

“I began this journey with a promise to be a voice that will be heard,” she said. “Now, it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation — whose voices will be louder, stronger, and just as determined.”