SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Nancy Pelosi, the first and only female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced Thursday that she will not seek reelection after nearly 40 years in Congress. Her decision marks the end of an era for one of the most powerful and influential figures in American politics. Pelosi, 85, made her announcement in a video message to her San Francisco constituents. She reflected on her decades of service and her deep love for the city she has represented since 1987.
“I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress,” 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.”
Pelosi’s message highlighted her pride in San Francisco’s role in shaping national progress. “San Francisco, know your power,” she said. “We have made history, we have made progress, and we must continue to lead the way.”
Pelosi broke barriers throughout her career. In 2007, she became the first woman ever elected House speaker, a position she later reclaimed in 2019. She remains the only woman to hold the gavel in U.S. history. Her leadership defined the Democratic Party for decades. Pelosi guided her caucus through major legislative battles, from passing the Affordable Care Act to securing pandemic relief under President Joe Biden. She was known for her strict party discipline, rarely losing votes on the House floor.
“There has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the House floor and say, ‘I speak for the people of San Francisco,’” she said in her farewell video.
Pelosi’s decision came just days after one of her latest political victories. She helped secure the passage of Proposition 50, a California ballot measure that redraws congressional maps in favor of Democrats. The initiative passed with 63% of the vote, a success fueled by Pelosi’s fundraising and organizing efforts.
Over her long career, Pelosi earned a reputation as one of the most skilled and strategic lawmakers in Washington. She was a master negotiator and a fierce defender of Democratic priorities. Her colleagues often described her as both tough and deeply loyal. Raised in Baltimore’s Little Italy neighborhood, Pelosi grew up around politics. Her father was a U.S. congressman and mayor of Baltimore, and her upbringing shaped her sharp instincts and leadership style.
Pelosi’s tenure spanned seven presidents and some of the most consequential events in modern U.S. history. She cast landmark votes on issues such as the Iraq War and presidential impeachments. Her second term as speaker included overseeing two impeachments of President Donald Trump, a historic first.
One of her most memorable moments came during Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address when she tore up a copy of his speech on live television. The act symbolized the fierce partisan divide that marked her leadership during the Trump years. Pelosi’s leadership also extended beyond politics. In 2022, her husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked in their San Francisco home. The assault deeply affected her family and influenced her decision to step back from leadership roles.
From her first days in Congress, Pelosi fought for progressive causes. Her maiden speech in 1987 focused on fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She later became a driving force behind the Affordable Care Act, helping millions of Americans gain access to health care. Under her leadership, Democrats embraced issues such as reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and climate change. She helped steer her party toward unity on once-divisive social issues.
Pelosi stepped down from House Democratic leadership in 2022, handing power to a younger generation. Yet even in her final term, she remained one of the party’s most influential figures.
“I want women to see that you do not get pushed around,” she once said. “You don’t run away from the fight.”
As Pelosi prepares to leave office, her influence will continue to shape the Democratic Party and the direction of American politics for years to come.
