Democrats are quietly preparing for the possible retirement of Nancy Pelosi, the long-time face of the party in Congress and one of the most formidable political figures in modern American history. At 85, the Speaker Emerita is expected to announce her future plans after Tuesday’s elections, which will include a key ballot measure, Proposition 50, that could reshape California’s congressional map.Pelosi has represented San Francisco for almost four decades and has yet to say if she will run again in 2026. Still, talk is growing among Democrats in Washington and back home in California that she might finally call it a day.
‘I wish she would stay’
Multiple party insiders told NBC News they believe Pelosi will not seek another term. “I wish she would stay for 10 more years,” said one California Democrat. “I think she’s out. She’s going to go out with Prop 50 overwhelmingly passing, and what a crowning achievement for her to do that.”If confirmed, Pelosi’s departure would close a chapter in American politics marked by her skill in managing legislative deals, uniting Democrats, and raising record funds. The first woman to ever hold the speaker’s gavel, she became both a trailblazer and the Republican Party’s favourite target, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency.“She’s preparing to exit the stage,” a Democratic leadership aide told NBC. “We will not fully appreciate the time we have spent with her until she’s gone.”
Who is running for her seat?
Despite having more than $1.5 million in her campaign account and raising over $2 million this cycle, Pelosi has made no move to deter two Democrats already running for her seat: state Senator Scott Wiener and former tech executive Saikat Chakrabarti, a onetime chief of staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Pelosi stays focused on Prop 50
Pelosi’s spokesman, Ian Krager, dismissed talk of retirement as “pure speculation,” insisting her focus remains on Tuesday’s “Yes on 50” campaign. The measure is strongly backed by governor Gavin Newsom and Democrats, and aims to redraw congressional districts in their favour.“Proposition 50” (Prop 50) refers to a California ballot measure that would redraw the state’s congressional districts to give Democrats an advantage in upcoming elections.“Speaker Pelosi is fully focused on her mission to win the Yes on 50 special election in California on Tuesday,” Krager said. “She urges all Californians to join in that mission on the path to taking back the House for Democrats.”In a recent interview with the San Francisco Examiner, Pelosi herself hinted that no decision would come until after the vote. “Here’s the thing: We must win the House. If you talk about ‘no kings,’ we must win the House to put a stop to this. We won’t be able to get many things done, but we’ll be able to stop a lot of the poison that he’s putting there,” she said, referring to Donald Trump.“There’s a lot riding on this because this is the path to our winning the House,” she added. “We will win the House regardless, but winning it big, and we want to win Nov. 4 big.”
End of an era
Pelosi’s leadership has been defined by toughness and strategic brilliance. Known for saying she “eats nails for breakfast,” she mastered both negotiation and persuasion. Ro Khanna, another California Democrat, called her “a stateswoman who, as they say about Lincoln, belongs to the ages. Generations to come will be reading about her contributions to America.”Ashley Etienne, who worked for both Pelosi and former vice president Kamala Harris, praised her as “a pragmatist who hammered out deals in the interest of the nation.”“Pelosi’s loss is bigger than even to the Democratic Party; it’s a loss to the institution,” Etienne said. “She’s not just redefined the speakership, but she’s also demonstrated what real sound, principled leadership looks like, man or woman, but definitely as a woman. Pelosi is a beast. She’s the best to ever do it.”If Pelosi steps down, the race for her San Francisco seat could become one of the most-watched in the country.
