Democratic leaders across the United States have united in celebrating Nancy Pelosi's groundbreaking political career after the former House Speaker announced she will not seek re-election in 2026.
A Trailblazing Career Comes to a Close
The 85-year-old political veteran, who made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, confirmed on Thursday that her current term would be her last after an remarkable 20 terms representing San Francisco.
"With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative," Pelosi stated in her announcement that marks the end of an era in American politics.
Pelosi's decision comes at a moment of celebration for Democrats, following significant electoral successes this week including important victories in California redistricting measures and the elections of progressive candidates Zohran Mamdani in New York and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia.
Colleagues Pay Tribute to Political Legacy
Current Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who succeeded Pelosi in congressional leadership, led the tributes to his predecessor's extraordinary career.
"Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi is an iconic, heroic, trailblazing, legendary and transformational leader. She is the greatest Speaker of all time," Jeffries wrote in a heartfelt statement.
He particularly highlighted her "strength and dignity" during two traumatic events: the January 6th assault on the US Capitol in 2021 and the violent attack against her husband Paul Pelosi in 2022.
Former President Barack Obama joined the chorus of praise, declaring that Pelosi "will go down in history as one of the best speakers the House of Representatives has ever had."
Transformative Legislative Achievements
During her tenure as Speaker under the Obama administration, Pelosi played a crucial role in passing the landmark Affordable Care Act, which expanded healthcare coverage to millions of Americans.
California Senator Adam Schiff described Pelosi as "an indelible part of every major progressive accomplishment in the 21st century" and detailed her extensive impact.
"Her work delivered affordable healthcare to millions, created countless jobs, raised families out of poverty, cleaned up pollution, brought LGBTQ+ rights into the mainstream and pulled our economy back from the brink of destruction not once, but twice," Schiff emphasised.
He added a memorable comparison: "She represented the United States on the world stage, trailblazing while balancing the demands of an unruly Congress, and like Ginger Rogers – she did it backwards, and in heels."
Pioneering Role for Women in Politics
Experts highlighted Pelosi's profound influence on gender representation in American politics. Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics, noted the dramatic increase in female representation during Pelosi's career.
When Pelosi first took office, there were just 25 women in Congress. Today, that number has grown to 151.
"She made the imaginary real, and for young people who knew no other world, she permanently shifted the boundaries of the possible," Walsh stated. "But she was more than a symbol. She is as consequential a speaker as any who has ever served and much more so than many."
Her supporters argue that Pelosi's service in Congress and her groundbreaking rise to Speaker "altered the way we conceive political power" in the United States.
Political Succession and Future Prospects
Pelosi's long-anticipated retirement is expected to trigger a competitive race for her San Francisco congressional seat. Several potential candidates have already emerged, including former tech executive Saikat Chakrabarti, who previously served as chief of staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and state senator Scott Wiener.
Chakrabarti acknowledged the significance of Pelosi's departure, stating: "Thank you, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, for your decades of service that defined a generation of politics and for doing something truly rare in Washington: making room for the next one."
Wiener praised Pelosi for "years of courageous and tireless service to our country" and noted her instrumental role in healthcare reform and opposition to Trump administration policies.
As Pelosi prepares to conclude her final term in 2026, her announcement marks the end of a political era that transformed both the Democratic Party and the role of women in American government.
