After nearly 40 years, Nancy Pelosi is retiring from Congress

November 6, 2025

Nancy Pelosi, who at 85 years old has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 38 years, announced Thursday that her current term will be her final one in Congress. As the first and only woman to hold the position of House Speaker, serving from 2007-2011 and 2019-2023, Pelosi established herself as one of Washington's most effective legislators, shepherding landmark legislation including the Affordable Care Act and measures supporting LGBTQ+ rights through Congress. Though she stepped down from party leadership in 2022, she remained an influential figure in Democratic politics and continued mentoring younger party members.

Who is affected

Nancy Pelosi (retiring from Congress)
Residents and voters of Pelosi's San Francisco-area House district
Democratic Party leadership and younger House Democratic leaders
Candidates running for Pelosi's seat: Saikat Chakrabarti, Democratic state Sen. Scott Weiner, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, Jane Kim, and Christine Pelosi (Pelosi's daughter)
The LGBTQ+ community and advocacy organizations like the Human Rights Campaign
House Democrats who benefited from her fundraising and mentorship

What action is being taken

Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement from Congress
Multiple candidates have launched campaigns for Pelosi's seat (Saikat Chakrabarti and Scott Weiner are explicitly described as having already launched campaigns)
A crowded race for the San Francisco-area House district is forming

Why it matters

Pelosi's departure marks the end of a historic political career that fundamentally changed perceptions of women in political leadership. As the first female House Speaker, she not only broke a symbolic barrier but also proved to be one of the most consequential and effective speakers in congressional history, successfully navigating major legislative achievements including the Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank financial reforms, the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," and components of President Biden's economic agenda. Her leadership demonstrated that women could wield significant political power at the highest levels, permanently expanding what younger generations view as possible in American politics.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th