Nancy Pelosi, 83, Is Running Again: A Look At Her Most Recent Term
Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House and prominent Democratic leader from California, made a significant announcement on Friday regarding her political future.
After stepping down as the leader of the House Democratic caucus last year, Pelosi, 83 years old, declared her intention to seek reelection in 2024 for her San Francisco-area House seat. This decision finally puts to rest the speculation surrounding her next steps in the political arena.
“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.
Pelosi, who made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House in 2007, has enjoyed a distinguished career marked by numerous achievements. Her second tenure as Speaker began in 2019, following her instrumental role in securing a substantial Democratic majority. During her time in office, Pelosi played a pivotal role in advancing key legislative achievements, notably the Affordable Care Act under former President Barack Obama’s administration.
However, her leadership was not without challenges. In 2011, Republicans regained control of the House in the midterm elections, resulting in Pelosi losing her speakership. Undeterred, she continued to serve as the minority leader for House Democrats for eight years. Remarkably, in 2019, she reclaimed the gavel, becoming the first Speaker to achieve such a feat. Throughout her tenure, Pelosi also oversaw two impeachments of former President Donald Trump, a move that firmly positioned her as a target for political opposition on the right.
Her speakership has recently made waves through her controversial moves. Pelosi’s decision to make a congressional delegation visit to Taiwan in August 2022 sparked criticism for crystallizing her view on China-Taiwan relations. China followed the visit with a series of undisclosed sanctions against the house speaker herself, as well as an end to cooperation with the US on a number of key issues.
Paul Pelosi, the politician’s husband, reportedly bought US$1 million worth of stock in American microchip maker Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) in July, a day before the Senate was scheduled to vote on the CHIPS act, or the legislation that aims to support the semiconductor industry by providing billions of dollars in subsidies and tax credits.
A then-Twitter account was created, Nancy Pelosi Stock Tracker, dedicated to monitoring the Pelosis portfolio.
Earlier this year in January, Republican Senator Josh Hawley reintroduced his bill to ban lawmakers from holding or trading individual stocks, this time calling it the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act, or the PELOSI Act. If passed, lawmakers who violate the bill will be required to “return their profits to American taxpayers.”
Pelosi’s decision to run for reelection in 2024 comes in the wake of the Democratic party’s success in preventing an anticipated Republican wave in the House, resulting in a narrower GOP majority than expected. Additionally, the announcement follows a troubling incident in which her husband, Paul, was attacked by an assailant wielding a hammer in their San Francisco home.
In the 2022 elections, Pelosi secured a resounding victory in her district, defeating Republican challenger John Dennis by nearly 180,000 votes. Her consistent success in her district has made her a formidable figure in California politics.
As Pelosi gears up for the 2024 election, she faces competition from four challengers in California’s 11th congressional district, which encompasses San Francisco. Among the contenders are two Democrats, a Republican, and a Libertarian candidate.
It’s important to note that in California’s primary election, the top two candidates with the most votes, regardless of their political party, advance to the general election. The primary is scheduled for March 5 of the following year. Pelosi’s decision to run for reelection sets the stage for an intriguing and closely watched political race in the coming months.
Information for this story was found via USA Today and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
