Nancy Pelosi Will Not Seek Reelection in 2026: Report

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears to be nearing the end of her political career, with multiple Democratic officials now indicating she will not seek re-election in 2026 — signaling the likely close of a nearly 40-year tenure representing San Francisco’s deeply liberal district.

NBC News correspondent Scott Wong reported Monday that Democratic lawmakers and senior aides in both Washington, D.C., and California believe Pelosi is preparing to step away.

“Multiple Democratic elected officials and top aides in CA and Washington tell @NBCNews they believe NANCY PELOSI will choose not to seek re-election in 2026, after nearly four decades representing her San Francisco-based district,”
Wong posted on X.

One House Democratic leadership aide told him,

“I think she’s preparing to exit the stage.”

Another Democrat lamented the apparent decision:

“I wish she would stay for 10 more years. I think she’s out. She’s going to go out with Prop 50 overwhelmingly passing, and what a crowing achievement for her to do that.”

Pelosi has reportedly hinted at her departure. Wong noted that during a recent Democratic delegation meeting on Capitol Hill, Pelosi remarked that she looks forward to watching Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sworn in as the first Black Speaker — “if she’s still allowed on the floor,” she joked, according to a source present.

Pelosi is already confronting a significant primary challenge from Saikat Chakrabarti, the progressive strategist who helped engineer Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s upset victory in 2018. Chakrabarti announced he is running against Pelosi in 2026, accusing Democratic leadership of presiding over decline and stagnation.

In his campaign message, Chakrabarti wrote:

“Pelosi said the Democrats don’t need to change. I disagree.”

He added that defeating a long-term incumbent in a low-approval climate required early mobilization:

“I know it might seem it’s a little early to start running. But the fact is, it’s almost impossible to defeat incumbents in our system — even at a time when both Congress and the Democratic Party stand at record-low approval ratings.”

The former Speaker made headlines last week during the ongoing government shutdown, when she delivered a profanity-laced rant on NBC while defending Democrat demands that any funding bill include expansions to ACA subsidies and Medicaid spending.

Pelosi claimed Democrats were protecting vulnerable citizens:

“What we’re talking about is meeting the health care needs of the American people, little babies, moms with breast cancer, dads with a stroke, and all of that.”

But she sparked outrage when she added:

“The President has said, I hear what they’re saying. It’s all unserious and ridiculous. In fact, I’ve listened to their sh*t, and I tell them to go f** themselves.”

Pelosi later acknowledged her language was unusual, saying:

“I can’t believe I use that word. My kids will be shocked. My grandchildren will be further shocked. I’m just quoting the President of the United States.”

Democratic leadership has doubled down.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared:

“We will not support a partisan spending agreement that continues to rip away health care from the American people, period, full stop.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed:

“What the Republicans are proposing is not good enough for the American people and not good enough to get our votes.”

Democrats insist they will not fund the government unless Republicans agree to extend ACA tax credits (initially expanded under Joe Biden in 2022) and reverse Medicaid reductions enacted in the GOP’s recent budget package.