Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced her intent to run for re-election in 2024, seeking a 20th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. At age 83, Pelosi is determined to continue serving San Francisco’s 11th Congressional District, stating that “now more than ever our City needs us” and that she respectfully requests the public’s vote.
Pelosi has had an impactful career in Congress, first elected in 1987 and making history as the first female speaker in 2007. Throughout her tenure, she led the Democratic Party through significant legislative accomplishments, including the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the two impeachments of former President Donald Trump.
Despite stepping down as leader of the House Democratic Caucus last year, Pelosi remains a respected figure among her peers, with Democratic lawmakers honoring her with the title “Speaker Emerita.” Her announcement quells any speculation of retirement and comes amidst growing concerns about the advanced age of many elected officials.
These concerns are not unfounded, with figures like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is 81, raising questions about his fitness for office after freezing in front of news cameras twice this year. President Biden, who is 80, has faced scrutiny over his age, with a recent Wall Street Journal poll indicating that two-thirds of Democrats believe he is too old to run for president again.
However, Pelosi has defended Biden, suggesting that age is “relative” and that the president should “embrace his age, his experience, the knowledge he brings to the job.” She also noted that Biden is “a kid to me.”
