Nancy Pelosi, 83, Vows to Run for Re-Election in 2024

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who has already served in the House for 36 years, revealed on Friday that she will run for re-election in 2024.

“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,” Pelosi, 83, tweeted. “That is why I am running for reelection—and respectfully ask for your vote.”

Pelosi’s announcement comes amid much chatter about the fitness of multiple older politicians—notably Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 81, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 90, both of whom have experienced serious health scares. Pelosi has staunchly defended Feinstein, despite numerous calls for resignation from Democratic colleagues.

While Pelosi has kept her future plans mostly a secret, those close to her told The New York Times that she chose to run again to bolster President Joe Biden’s 2024 run and pave the way for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to become the next House speaker. Some Democrats previously believed she would vacate the seat to leave room for her daughter Christine Pelosi, a Democratic political strategist.

In light of McConnell’s two freezing episodes and Feinstein’s severe shingles complications, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) has called for term limits for members of Congress and “and some basic human decency.” If Pelosi wins re-election, she would serve until 2026, when she would be 86.

State Sen. Scott Wiener has quietly vied for Pelosi’s seat, essentially launching a campaign-in-waiting in case she decided to back out in 2024. In a statement to Politico, he seemed to support Pelosi’s run for re-election and shift his “laser” focus to “the end of our legislative session in Sacramento.”

“Speaker Emerita Pelosi is one of the most talented and transformational leaders of our lifetime, and it’s a good thing for San Francisco and the nation that she will continue to serve our community,” Wiener wrote.

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