Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would not seek another term, ending what had been a monumental run for one of the most influential members of Congress in U.S. history.
Speculation about Pelosi’s future plans has been swirling for months as some Democrats have criticized the party for not doing enough to make way for young blood. Pelosi is 85 years old.
She had said she would not share anything about her future plans before the vote on Tuesday on California’s Proposition 50, but she appeared to drop several hints leading up to her announcement.
Pelosi released her decision in a video posted on social media on Thursday.
The former speaker is in her 20th term representing a district in San Francisco. She first took up the gavel as the first woman elected speaker of the House in January 2007 after having served in House Democratic leadership since she became the first woman elected second in command to the House minority leader as Democratic Whip in 2001.
Her rise to the most powerful position in the House was celebrated by then-Republican President George W. Bush who noted he was the first to ever address a “madame speaker” during a State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress.
Pelosi ruled the House with a tight fist during her tenure as speaker. She was known for only holding votes she knew would pass and for working the phones around the clock to keep her caucus in check.
This story is developing and will be updated…
