Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, one of the most influential figures in modern American politics, announced her retirement Thursday morning in a video message to her constituents. Pelosi, a Democrat from California who made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, confirmed she will not seek re-election in 2026, closing a chapter on a congressional career that has spanned nearly four decades.
“San Francisco, know your power,” Pelosi said in her recorded message. “We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.”
The 85-year-old lawmaker reflected deeply on her long tenure and her enduring bond with the city she has represented since first being elected in 1987. Pelosi, who served as Speaker from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, became a towering figure in Democratic politics. Her leadership was marked by landmark legislative achievements, including the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Dodd-Frank financial reforms, and the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy — all during her first speakership under President Barack Obama.
Pelosi’s ability to navigate the complexities of Congress and marshal Democratic unity earned her a reputation as one of the most skilled and strategic political leaders of her generation. Her legacy as Speaker extends beyond policy to the symbolic — shattering what she once called “the marble ceiling” for women in American politics.
In her message, Pelosi reminisced about San Francisco’s character, calling it “the most beautiful, remarkable place on Earth” and crediting its people — from families and students to veterans and entrepreneurs — for embodying resilience and innovation. She cited the city’s recovery after the Loma Prieta earthquake, its pioneering response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, and its commitment to social justice as examples of its enduring spirit.
“It was the faith that you placed in me and the latitude you gave me that enabled me to shatter the marble ceiling and be the first woman Speaker of the House whose voice would be heard,” Pelosi said. “It was an historic moment for our country and for our community.”
Pelosi also highlighted her role in securing federal investments that benefited California, including funding for transportation infrastructure such as the electrification of Caltrain, the Central Subway, and improvements to the Golden Gate Bridge. She credited partnerships with labor unions, local nonprofits, and private sector innovators for driving the region’s progress in housing, healthcare, and environmental protection.
Under her leadership, San Francisco became a model for progressive policies that later shaped national initiatives. “The Affordable Care Act, Wall Street reform, and human rights abroad all sprang from the vision, values, and voices of San Franciscans,” Pelosi said. “Because of your trust, I was able to represent our city and our country around the world with patriotism and pride.”
Her retirement marks the end of an era not only for California politics but for Congress itself. Pelosi was first elected during the Reagan administration and rose through the ranks during a period of profound change in Washington. As Speaker, she became known for her mastery of legislative procedure and her ability to keep a fractious caucus united during some of the most polarizing moments in recent political history.
Throughout her speech, Pelosi balanced gratitude with a call to action, urging her constituents to continue engaging in democracy. “As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power,” she said. “We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.”
Pelosi’s farewell carried both sentiment and symbolism, tying her personal journey to the broader story of American progress. Quoting the prayer of St. Francis, she said, “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,” calling it the anthem of the city that shaped her public service.
Her political roots run deep — her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., served as mayor of Baltimore for 12 years after five terms in Congress, while her brother, Thomas D’Alesandro III, also led the city as mayor. That lineage, coupled with her decades of leadership, has made Pelosi a defining figure in the Democratic Party and a powerful voice for California on the national stage.
As she enters her final year in office, Pelosi said she remains committed to serving San Francisco and the nation she has long championed. “After all,” she concluded, “San Francisco is the greatest city on Earth, with the most extraordinary people on Earth — a place that I will always believe is heaven on Earth.”
