Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has filed for reelection in 2026, signaling her intent to remain a major political force as the country prepares for another presidential election cycle.
At 84 years old, Pelosi filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission after securing a 20th term in office just last week. Although her spokesperson refrained from confirming whether she is officially running for reelection, this paperwork strongly suggests that she plans to remain in the political arena.
Reports from the San Francisco Chronicle hint that the prospect of another potential Donald Trump presidency may have influenced Pelosi’s decision to continue serving. Following the recent election, Pelosi reportedly urged her Democratic colleagues to replicate the work of a group established during the Trump administration that worked to protect the Affordable Care Act.
In an interview with The New York Times after the election, Pelosi avoided directly commenting on whether this current term would be her final one but emphasized her commitment to fighting for the Democratic agenda.
“I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to fight the fight so that we win in the next election,” Pelosi said. She added that although she has believed before that she was approaching her final term, “the mission called” her back.
The filing with the Federal Election Commission is a requirement for any candidate who raises or spends $5,000 in an election cycle. Pelosi, a seasoned fundraiser who brought in over $8.3 million for her 2024 reelection, has already met the threshold for the 2026 cycle.
During her time as Speaker of the House, Pelosi became one of Donald Trump’s most vocal critics. As she looks ahead to the 2026 election, it will mark the first time she will not be part of leadership during a Republican administration since George W. Bush’s first term.
While Pelosi has long been considered a key figure in the Democratic Party, her strategic influence continues, even though she stepped down from House leadership in 2022 to make way for a new generation of leaders.
Despite her public departure from formal leadership, Pelosi remains a skilled political strategist, often working behind the scenes to shape outcomes and provide direction for her party. As she gears up for the upcoming elections, it’s clear that Pelosi’s political influence is far from waning, and she will likely continue to play a significant role in the national conversation.