Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as the powerful Speaker of the US House of Representatives, said on Thursday that she will not run for re-election to Congress in 2026, ending a four-decade career of a progressive Democratic icon often vilified by the right.

The 85-year-old congresswoman, first elected in 1987, made her announcement two days after voters in California on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved “Proposition 50”, a state redistricting effort aimed at flipping five House seats to Democrats in next year’s midterm elections.

Nancy Pelosi served as US House speaker during two separate stints, shepherding key legislation through Congress. Credit: House Television

“I will not be seeking re-election to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service

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