Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Friday that she will run for re-election to the United States House of Representatives for a 20th term in 2024.
Pelosi, 83, announced her candidacy for San Francisco’s 11th Congressional District with a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
“Our City needs us now more than ever to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery.” “Our country requires America to demonstrate to the world that our flag still stands, with liberty and justice for ALL,” Pelosi added. “That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully asking for your vote.”
Pelosi stepped aside as leader of the House Democratic Caucus last year, handing along the baton to current House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York. She is now a rank-and-file member, but Democratic colleagues have dubbed her “Speaker Emerita” in honor of her more than 35-year service in the House.
First elected to Congress in 1987, the Democratic leader made history as the first female speaker in 2007, and she reclaimed the gavel in 2019.
Pelosi led the party through significant legislative accomplishments, including adopting the Affordable Care Act, stormy periods, and the impeachment of former President Donald Trump twice.
Her declaration puts any talk of retirement to rest, albeit it comes amid concerns about the senior age of several public figures, including octogenarian Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; 90-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; and President Biden, who is 80.
McConnell, 81, raised additional questions about his age and fitness for office after freezing in front of TV cameras for the second time this year last month.
According to a Tuesday announcement, McConnell’s doctors cleared him to resume normal activities after finding no evidence of a stroke or seizure following many tests.
Despite this, detractors such as Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley referred to the Senate as a “privileged nursing home.” Rep. John James, R-Mich., sponsored a motion in the House to alter the Constitution to establish an age limit on holding federal office. James’ proposal would prohibit anyone 75 or older from running for president, vice president, or either house of Congress.
Biden has also been questioned about his age. According to a recent Wall Street Journal poll, two-thirds of Democrats believe he is too old to run for president again. Pelosi, on the other hand, has defended the president, calling age “relative.”
“I believe the president should embrace his age, experience, and knowledge for the job.” Actually, the opposing leader is not much younger. I don’t enjoy using his name, but you know who I’m talking about. He isn’t all that much younger. So I don’t believe — age is a relative concept. It is — and I believe this president, our country, is extremely well served by his leadership, because, once again, his expertise and wisdom count for a lot,” she remarked.
Pelosi went on to say that Biden is “a kid to me.”
