Nancy Pelosi, first female speaker of the House, won't seek re-election to Congress

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Nov. 6, 2025, 9:00 AM EST


WASHINGTON — In a final love letter to San Francisco, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who made history as the nation’s first female speaker of the House and twice served in that top job, said Thursday in a video message she will not seek re-election in 2026.

"I will not be seeking re-election to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative," Pelosi, 85, said in her video message to San Francisco voters, interlaced with sweeping imagery of the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower and other landmarks, as well as photos that captured her storied political career.

The powerful California Democrat led her party in the House for two decades — from 2002 to 2022 — serving as a crucial ally for Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and orchestrating the opposition to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump.

NBC News reported this week that Democrats in California and on Capitol Hill were preparing for her retirement announcement.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/nancy-pelosi-first-female-speaker-house-wont-seek-re-election-congress-rcna239324

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Link to tweet

Nancy Pelosi
@TeamPelosi
·
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Thank you, San Francisco.
9:00 AM · Nov 6, 2025

[Raven123]

1. Good decision. Excellent timing.

I hope other representatives look at their own situations with clear eyes and make a decision soon. Early decisions are better for Americans

[FakeNoose]

2. Thank you Nancy Pelosi for your stellar leadership all these years!

You are a true fighter and leader, and you've nurtured many great Democrats to carry on ....

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. MaddowBlog-Following a legendary run, Nancy Pelosi to retire from Congress at the end of her term

Not to put too fine a point on this, but officials with records like the California Democrat’s tend to have buildings named after them.

Following a historic career, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi is retiring at the end of her term.

Not to put too fine a point on this, but officials with records like the California Democrat’s tend to have buildings named after them. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-11-06T14:08:15.802Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/nancy-pelosi-retires-congress-rcna242091

Around this time three years ago, Rep. Nancy Pelosi did something unexpected: The California Democrat announced that she would remain in Congress but step down as her party’s leader in the U.S. House, passing the torch to Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Three years later, the House speaker emerita is taking the next step: After almost four decades on Capitol Hill, Pelosi is retiring at the end of her current term.

The nation’s first woman to serve as House speaker released a video on Thursday morning to announce that she is not seeking a 21st term in 2026.

“With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative,” she said in a message to her constituents in San Francisco, whom she celebrated in the nearly six-minute clip....

Not to put too fine a point on this, but lawmakers and leaders with records like Pelosi’s tend to have buildings named after them.

[rampartd]

26. "the nancy pelosi ball room" sounds like a good start

in big letters above the throne.

[Jilly_in_VA]

4. We shall not look upon her like again

At least I shall not, as I am 82. Some of you may, Who can forget that day when she stared down Shitler and all the generals in his first term? Thank you, Madam Speaker Emerita, for everything.

[Doodles]

14. Gutsy lady, for sure.

It was amazing. That picture with T and his generals is seared in my brain. We will miss that bravery in Congress. Thank you, Nancy!

[lark]

5. Everything has it's season and she handled her time in the spotlight so well!

I will always thank her for everything she'd done for the country and wish her and Paul well in her retirement. She was a true force of nature, whew!! She will be sorely missed!

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Thank you, Madame Speaker. ❤️

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Nancy Pelosi at campaign headquarters on primary night in 1987.Deanne Fitzmaurice / San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi holds up the gavel surrounded by children and grandchildren of members of Congress on Jan. 4, 2007, just after she was first elected House speaker.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi tears her copy of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address after he delivered it to a joint session of Congress in 2020.Patrick Semansky / AP


"I eat nails for breakfast." ~Nancy Pelosi

[Gore1FL]

7. An amazing arc comes to an end.

Thank you for your service.

[COL Mustard]

8. Thank You Rep Pelosi

You gave many years of distinguished service to your constituents and to the country. Please enjoy a well deserved retirement!

[walkingman]

9. An amazing leader and someone that will be highlighted in the history books forever. Thank You.

[flying_wahini]

10. She would have made a great President.

She leaves us all a wonderful legacy.

[Irish_Dem]

11. After the recent big win, she figures she is leaving things in good shape.

Time to finally retire and put her feet up.

[NNadir]

12. She is among the greatest Democrats of our times.

I wish her a restful well earned retirement with the deepest thanks for her outstanding tenure in service to our country.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

13. Thank you Nancy Pelosi for 39 Years of service to this nation. And My favorite part...

Link to tweet

[AllaN01Bear]

15. no, thank you , ms speaker.

[Hekate]

16. Thanks for everything, Speaker Pelosi. One of my all-time heroes.

I framed a postcard of that fabulous photo of her at the term 1 Cabinet meeting pointing to Trump and saying, “With you, everything leads to Russia. “

[Sogo]

17. Greatness, strength, and grace.....

You are sooo appreciated and will be even more missed.

Love you forever, Ms. Speaker!!

[LittleGirl]

18. Thank you for your service Speaker

Please advise everyone in your generation to move along as well. Let the young voices be heard.

[JoseBalow]

19. Best speaker ever!

She will be missed.

[Callie1979]

20. I thought this had already been decided? I'v discussed it with friends as though it was.

[SergeStorms]

21. The end of an era.

She could be tough as nails or gentle as a lamb. She got shit done!
Thank you for your service to our country, Ms. Pelosi.

[Grins]

22. Good for her. Now, did she groom her successor? NM

[Brother Buzz]

23. Curious who throws their hat in the ring

California 11th District has a deep bench.

Any guesses?

[BumRushDaShow]

25. One already announced before she made her intent official

It’s official: Scott Wiener is running for Nancy Pelosi’s seat in Congress

[Brother Buzz]

29. He looks solid, but zero name recognition in my world

But I haven't lived in San Francisco for forty years.

[Retrograde]

35. He's in state government now

and is very good at attracting the cameras. I’m a few districts south but I’ll be following this election as well

[Shrek]

24. Coach Letterman outdid himself this time

Link to tweet

[Brother Buzz]

27. What elected statewide office?

[BaronChocula]

28. ...

[MurrayDelph]

30. I'm grateful for her service

and for her leaving on her own terms, unlike Diane Feinstein (who should have left decades earlier and found herself having to try to tough out the rest of her term).

[LetMyPeopleVote]

31. Trump calls Nancy Pelosi 'evil woman' after she announces retirement

trump has no grace and is a complete asshole

Trump calls Nancy Pelosi 'evil woman' after she announces retirement https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-calls-nancy-pelosi-evil-woman-after-announces/story?id=127270000
#fivethirtyeight #elections #news

— Fivethirtyeight 🤖 (@fivethirtyeight.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy) 2025-11-06T21:27:04.000Z

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-calls-nancy-pelosi-evil-woman-after-announces/story?id=127270000&cid=social_twitter_abcn

President Donald Trump on Thursday called former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi an "evil woman" when asked to comment on her retirement announcement.

"I'm glad she's retiring," Trump said as he took reporter questions in the Oval Office during a news conference on reducing the cost of weight loss drugs for Americans.

"I think she did the country a great service by retiring," Trump continued. "I think she was a tremendous liability for the country. I thought she was an evil woman who did a poor job, who cost the country a lot in damages and in reputation. I thought she was terrible."

Pelosi became one of Trump's fiercest critics, and their tensions were well-documented as she led the House in the final years of his first term.

trump is truly an asshole

[NBachers]

32. It was always a thrill to vote for Nancy Pelosi.

[Rhiannon12866]

33. 85-year-old Nancy Pelosi releases nearly 6 minute video about her retirement - WAAY 31 News

November 6, 2025.

[ShazzieB]

34. Thank you for yur service, Nancy!

Enjoy your vacation. You've earned it!

You will not be forgotten. To us you will always be...

[LetMyPeopleVote]

36. What was your favorite Nancy Pelosi moment?

My favorite is tearing up trump's SOTU speech