Bay Area congresswoman Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she is stepping down from Democratic leadership in the next term of Congress after being the first woman ever to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Pelosi, D-San Francisco, has been in Congress since 1987 and was re-elected in last week’s election. In 2006, she made history as the first woman chosen as House Speaker by her party. When Democrats regained a voting majority in the House following the 2018 elections, she was re-elected again to the position.
However, with Republicans projected to take back the House following the Nov. 8 midterm election, Pelosi announced on the floor of the House on Thursday that she will not seek to remain in leadership when the next term of Congress starts in January, calling for “a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus.”
Pelosi thanked her staff and family for their support, including her husband Paul, who is still recovering after being attacked with a hammer by an intruder at the Pelosis’ San Francisco home last month, and also thanked the next leaders of the Democratic party who “are willing and able to shoulder this awesome responsibility.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom and both U.S. Senators representing California were among the elected leaders who issued statements following Pelosi’s announcement.
“Nancy Pelosi is the model of dedicated public service,” Newsom said. “Her career in Congress, and as Speaker, has been a masterclass in powerful, empathetic leadership, guided by her strong moral compass and unmatched political skill. During her three decades of service in the House, Speaker Pelosi has shaped California and the nation for the better — and generations to come will benefit from her work.”
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Pelosi’s leadership “will be greatly missed, especially in our shared home of San Francisco,” while U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla said she has “redefined American leadership for future generations and served as an inspiration for young women around the world.”