Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will seek reelection in 2024

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will seek another term in office, after giving up the speaker's gavel earlier this year.

Pelosi, 83, was the first female speaker and has served in Congress since 1987. She led Democrats for two decades, first becoming speaker of the House in 2007, after Republican midterm election losses during the President George W. Bush administration.

"Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery. 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," Pelosi said in a statement early Friday.

During a speech in San Francisco, Pelosi touted her decades-long career in politics

"And that is why in light of all that is at stake, and that people have been calling me and saying, ‘Can you stay longer? We don't want to intrude on your personal decisions, but this is the non-advice that we will give you.’ I have decided now that in light of the values of San Francisco, which we have always been proud to promote, I’ve made the decision to seek re-election," she said.

If Pelosi wins in 2024, it will mark her 20th term in office and she will be elected at 84 years old.

"The needs that our city has right now really call for me to stay another term," Pelosi said on MSNBC Friday afternoon.

Pelosi said in gratitude to her district, she "agreed to stay on another term in order to help meet the needs" the city has now.

"I am motivated to do everything I can to win this election," she added.

Pelosi ushered through President Barack Obama's signature accomplishments, including the Affordable Care Act. But she lost the speakership in 2011, when Republicans took over the House in the midterm elections that gave rise to the Tea Party.

She was minority leader for the House Democrats for eight years, and in 2019, she became the first speaker to reclaim the gavel. A frequent target of the right, she led the House to impeach former President Donald Trump twice.

Pelosi steps down from leadership

The California lawmaker announced last year that she would step down from her leadership position.

“For me, the hours come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect,” she said before a crowded House chamber last November.

But Pelosi emphasized that regardless of her title and leadership position, she would continue to stand on the floor and speak for the people of San Francisco.

Her decision came after the Democratic Party halted an expected Republican wave in the House. The GOP still obtained a majority, but by a much narrower lead than had been predicted.

Pelosi's announcement also came after a brutal attack on her husband, Paul, who was assaulted by a hammer-wielding assailant in the couple's San Francisco home.

California's 11th Congressional District

Pelosi won in her district last year by a landslide, defeating Republican challenger John Dennis, a real estate developer, by nearly 180,000 votes.

The incumbent lawmaker has consistently defeated opponents in her district.

She now faces four challengers for California's 11th Congressional District, which includes San Francisco. Two Democrats, a Republican and a Libertarian have announced candidacies.

In California, the two candidates on the ballot in the primary election who receive the most votes move on to the general election, regardless of political party. California's primary date is March 5 of next year.

Schiff: 'California has had no greater champion'

California lawmakers responded to Pelosi's news Friday afternoon with Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff posting on X, formerly Twitter, that California has "had no greater champion."

"We’re all so fortunate she will continue her leadership for the Golden State," he wrote in the post.

Another California lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, said in a statement to USA TODAY that he is looking forward to continuing to work alongside Pelosi in the House.

"Speaker Pelosi has been incredibly effective in delivering for families in the Bay Area and I have a lot of respect for her," he said.

But on the Republican side, the National Republican Congressional Committee, in a post on X, wrote in response to an article on Pelosi's announcement that "Hakeem Jeffries' babysitter agreed to stay late."

The campaign of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, sent an email to supporters with a poll asking for responses as to whether Pelosi should retire.

"It's time to break the swamp. It's time to drain the power. It's never been more important to end the reign of these radical Democrats," the email said.

Savannah Kuchar contributed to this reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will seek reelection in 2024