Nancy Pelosi, the trailblazing first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced on Thursday, November 6, 2025, that she will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of a storied four-decade career in Congress. Pelosi, 85, who has been a progressive Democratic icon and a frequent target of Republican criticism, made the announcement in a heartfelt video posted on X. Her decision comes shortly after California voters approved ‘Proposition 50,’ a redistricting initiative aimed at securing five additional House seats for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. Pelosi’s career has been defined by her fierce battles for control of the House and her high-profile clashes with former President Donald Trump during his first term from 2017 to 2020. Her retirement underscores a broader generational shift within the Democratic Party, as younger leaders push for change. Pelosi’s legacy includes her pivotal role in passing the Affordable Care Act under President Barack Obama and her relentless advocacy for human rights and LGBTQ+ equality. Her departure will leave a significant void in the Democratic leadership, though Representative Hakeem Jeffries is poised to step into her shoes. Pelosi’s tenure has been marked by both historic achievements and intense partisan strife, including two impeachment efforts against Trump and a harrowing attack on her husband in 2022. As she prepares to leave Congress, Pelosi’s impact on American politics remains indelible.