Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Pelosi, 83, Says She'll Seek House Reelection, Dismissing Retirement Talk
By admin
Published 1 year ago on
September 8, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

WASHINGTON — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that she will seek reelection to Congress in 2024 as Democrats try to win back the majority.

Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before volunteers and labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years.

Announcement of Reelection

“Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery,” Pelosi said in a tweet. “Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.”

Republicans now control the House, but just narrowly, with a 222-212 majority and one vacancy. Democrats believe they have a chance to regain power as President Joe Biden runs for a second term.

Pelosi’s announcement quells any talk of retirement for the long-serving leader, who, with the honorific title of speaker emeritus, remains an influential lawmaker, pivotal party figure and strong fundraiser for Democrats.

Political Era Sunset

It also unfolds as Washington is grappling with the sunset of a political era as an older generation of leaders, including Biden, 80, face questions about their age. This past week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 81, said he would finish his term as leader and senator despite concerns about his recent health episodes.

Pelosi has long charted her own course, from her arrival in Congress as one of few women elected to the House to her tenure as one of the most powerful women in U.S. politics.

First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi made history becoming the first female speaker in 2007, and in 2019 she regained the speaker’s gavel.

Pelosi led the party through substantial legislative achievements, including passage of the Affordable Care Act, as well as turbulent times with two impeachments of Republican President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Her announcement comes as House Republicans are preparing to launch an impeachment inquiry into Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter.

Pelosi’s Political Influence

Pelosi stepped away from the day-to-day political limelight after a younger generation of Democrats led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took charge in 2023, but she remains a political force and keeps a robust schedule of public and private events.

According to a person familiar with Pelosi’s thinking about her 2024 decision, Pelosi believes democracy hangs in balance in the upcoming election as she works to reelect Biden and make Jeffries the next House speaker.

Pelosi is among the party’s most prolific fundraisers for the House and key political strategists. She has said she does not intend to hover over the new Democratic House leadership team, but she and Jeffries are often seen huddling quietly on the House floor.

It’s rare, but not unprecedented, for former party leaders to continue in Congress as members.

Impact on California Politics

Back in California, Pelosi’s decision to seek another term is sure to disappoint other Democrats who have wanted a run for the congressional seat.

But Pelosi has priorities she is trying to secure for her home state and especially San Francisco as the city works to recover from the coronavirus pandemic-era closures that have also dimmed other metro downtowns.

San Francisco faces a delicate moment, Pelosi believes, and needs federal resources to continue its recovery, said the person familiar with her thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

One of the state’s long-serving leaders, Democratic Sen. Diane Feinstein, 90, has announced she would not seek another term.

Pelosi has long been portrayed as a political villain by Republican critics, who view her as a far-left liberal and raise vast sums of their own using her image and actions.

Last year, her husband, Paul Pelosi, was seriously injured when an attacker broke into the family’s San Francisco home, seeking the Democratic leader at a highly divisive time in American politics. A trial is expected.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno State’s Water Institute Teams with Nonprofit to Study on-Farm Recharge

DON'T MISS

Fresno City Council District 6 Debate Set for Oct. 14

DON'T MISS

Russia Urges Citizens to Leave Israel as Tensions with Hezbollah Escalate

DON'T MISS

Taxpayers in 24 States Will Be Able to File Their Returns Directly With the IRS in 2025

DON'T MISS

California Collects Millions in Stolen Wages, but Can’t Find Many Workers to Pay Them

DON'T MISS

Sweet Lola on the Mend, Ready for a Forever Home

DON'T MISS

Houthis Vow Retaliation Against US for Yemen Airstrikes

DON'T MISS

Chavez-Quintero Debate: How Would You Rate City-County Cooperation?

DON'T MISS

Biden Talks Election, Economy and Middle East in Surprise News Briefing

DON'T MISS

Big Money Rolling in from Commercial Builders for Local School Bond Measure Campaigns

UP NEXT

Fresno City Council District 6 Debate Set for Oct. 14

UP NEXT

Russia Urges Citizens to Leave Israel as Tensions with Hezbollah Escalate

UP NEXT

Taxpayers in 24 States Will Be Able to File Their Returns Directly With the IRS in 2025

UP NEXT

California Collects Millions in Stolen Wages, but Can’t Find Many Workers to Pay Them

UP NEXT

Sweet Lola on the Mend, Ready for a Forever Home

UP NEXT

Houthis Vow Retaliation Against US for Yemen Airstrikes

UP NEXT

Chavez-Quintero Debate: How Would You Rate City-County Cooperation?

UP NEXT

Biden Talks Election, Economy and Middle East in Surprise News Briefing

UP NEXT

Big Money Rolling in from Commercial Builders for Local School Bond Measure Campaigns

UP NEXT

Behind the Scenes at Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s Sea Lion Cove: A Flipper-tastic Adventure

Taxpayers in 24 States Will Be Able to File Their Returns Directly With the IRS in 2025

1 day ago

California Collects Millions in Stolen Wages, but Can’t Find Many Workers to Pay Them

1 day ago

Sweet Lola on the Mend, Ready for a Forever Home

1 day ago

Houthis Vow Retaliation Against US for Yemen Airstrikes

2 days ago

Chavez-Quintero Debate: How Would You Rate City-County Cooperation?

2 days ago

Biden Talks Election, Economy and Middle East in Surprise News Briefing

2 days ago

Big Money Rolling in from Commercial Builders for Local School Bond Measure Campaigns

2 days ago

Behind the Scenes at Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s Sea Lion Cove: A Flipper-tastic Adventure

2 days ago

Clovis Daytime Burglary: 2 Suspects Arrested, 1 at Large

2 days ago

Trump Stalled California Wildfire Aid? Ex-Aide Reveals Political Motive

2 days ago

Fresno State’s Water Institute Teams with Nonprofit to Study on-Farm Recharge

The California Water Institute at Fresno State announces its first formal partnership with Sustainable Conservation on a $498,423 grant-fund...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

Fresno State’s Water Institute Teams with Nonprofit to Study on-Farm Recharge

1 hour ago

Fresno City Council District 6 Debate Set for Oct. 14

22 hours ago

Russia Urges Citizens to Leave Israel as Tensions with Hezbollah Escalate

1 day ago

Taxpayers in 24 States Will Be Able to File Their Returns Directly With the IRS in 2025

1 day ago

California Collects Millions in Stolen Wages, but Can’t Find Many Workers to Pay Them

1 day ago

Sweet Lola on the Mend, Ready for a Forever Home

2 days ago

Houthis Vow Retaliation Against US for Yemen Airstrikes

Challenger Luis Chavez and incumbent supervisor Sal Quintero debate in Fresno, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024.
2 days ago

Chavez-Quintero Debate: How Would You Rate City-County Cooperation?

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend