Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, has made a bold prediction that the Democratic Party will regain control of the chamber in the 2026 midterm elections. She delivered this forecast during an interview on ABC News's This Week programme on Sunday, following her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on 21 August 2024.
A Confident Forecast for Democratic Leadership
When asked by co-anchor Jonathan Karl if she had any doubt that New York congressman Hakeem Jeffries would become Speaker after the 2026 vote, Pelosi's response was unequivocal: "None." She praised Jeffries, highlighting his eloquence, respect among colleagues, and ability to unify the party as key assets for the leadership role.
Pelosi, who served as Speaker from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, framed the upcoming election as a critical opportunity to restore the balance of power in Washington. She argued that the current Republican-led Congress has effectively surrendered its authority.
Reclaiming Congressional Power from the Presidency
"Right now, Republicans in the Congress have abolished the Congress," Pelosi stated bluntly. She accused the GOP of simply executing the demands of President Donald Trump, thereby diminishing the legislature's independent role. "They just do what the president insists that they do. That will be over. That ends as soon as we have the gavel," she declared.
Her confidence is not isolated. A Gallup poll from November showed Trump's approval rating at just 36%, with disapproval rising to 60%. This unpopularity, combined with the historical trend of the president's party losing seats in midterm elections, has led many Republicans to anticipate significant losses in 2026.
A Republican Exodus and Pelosi's Final Mission
The political landscape appears to be shifting, with several prominent Republican senators announcing they will not seek re-election. This list includes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Joni Ernst of Iowa, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Furthermore, more than two dozen House Republicans have indicated they will not defend their seats, prompting speculation of a coordinated retreat from a potentially sinking ship.
Pelosi herself announced in November that she will retire at the end of her current term in early 2027, citing her age as a primary factor. The 85-year-old, who made history as the first female Speaker, told ABC that one of her final goals is to see the Speaker's gavel returned to Democratic hands.
"By and large, the American people are good people – and I would like to … take us back to a place where governance and politics understand that," she told Karl. She expressed a desire to elevate political discourse and restore hope by recognising the fundamental goodness of the public.
