Nancy Pelosi to Step Down as Top House Democrat

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced, on Thursday, that she will not seek another term as the top Democrat in the House of Representatives.

“With great confidence in our caucus, I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said during her 14-minute speech.

“For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic Congress that I so deeply respect,” she added. “And I am grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility.” 

Pelosi is leaving the position after almost two decades following her party’s loss of its majority in the midterm elections. Her decision paves the way for a contest at the end of the month to replace her. 

Nevertheless, Pelosi, 82, affirmed that she would not leave Congress altogether, as she would continue to hold her seat in the House representing San Francisco. 

Pelosi became the first woman to lead a major party in Congress in 2003 as well as the first woman to be Speaker of the House in 2007.