Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of a landmark 39-year congressional career.
The 85-year-old Californian Democrat revealed her decision in a video posted on X, saying: “With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service.” Her announcement came just days after California voters overwhelmingly backed Proposition 50 — a redistricting effort expected to bolster Democratic chances in next year’s midterm elections.
Pelosi, long considered one of the most powerful and polarising figures in American politics, has been a dominant force in shaping Democratic strategy, spearheading major legislative victories such as Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act and leading two impeachment drives against Donald Trump.
Her tenure was defined by fierce battles with Republicans and her historic role in breaking barriers for women in US politics. But her decision also reflects growing calls within the Democratic Party for generational change, following years of tension between older leaders and younger progressives.
Pelosi stepped down from party leadership in 2023, handing the reins to Hakeem Jeffries, who praised her as “an iconic, transformational figure” who dedicated her career to improving lives.
Throughout her decades in Congress, Pelosi was known for her iron discipline, tireless fundraising, and sharp political instincts — attributes that made her both revered and reviled across party lines. Her departure in 2026 will close a defining chapter in American political history.
