Nancy Pelosi Announces She’s Running for Reelection

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the 83-year-old previous speaker of the House, announced on Sept. 8 she is running for re-election.

Then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) answers questions during her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Dec. 15, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the 83-year-old previous speaker of the House, announced on Sept. 8 she is running for reelection.

“Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery. Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote,” posted Ms. Pelosi on X, formerly Twitter.

Ms. Pelosi would be 86 years old at the conclusion of her 20th term.

Ms. Pelosi has served in Congress since June 2, 1987, representing San Francisco, a left-wing California city. She won in a special election to succeed the late Rep. Sheila Burton (D-Calif.). She has been speaker twice, between 2007 and 2011 and between 2019 and 2023—the first female in the position, which is second in line to the presidency. She announced last year that she would retire from House Democrat leadership. Ms. Pelosi has since taken on the ceremonial title of speaker emerita.

“Scripture teaches us that for everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven,” said Ms. Pelosi, a Catholic, on the House floor announcing her transition from leadership to back-bencher. “My friends, no matter what title you all, my colleagues, have bestowed upon me — speaker, leader, whip — there is no greater official honor for me than to stand on this floor and to speak for the people of San Francisco.

“This I will continue to do as a member of the House, speaking for the people of San Francisco, serving the great state of California and defending our Constitution.”

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“For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect,” she added. “And I am grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) succeeded Ms. Pelosi as the leader of the House Democrats, who have a new leadership team this Congress with, in addition to Mr. Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and House Democrat Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.).

During her time as speaker, Ms. Pelosi helped marshal the Affordable Care Act, economic stimulus measures, COVID relief measures, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Respect for Marriage Act. She has drawn the ire of Republicans and conservatives for her policy positions and for leading the two impeachments of former President Donald Trump including the one following the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.