Following the Democrats’ narrow loss of the U.S. House of Representatives in the November election, and the shocking violent attack on her husband, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would remain in Congress but would step back from a leadership role. Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco in the House since 1987, used the announcement of her decision to usher in the next generation of Democratic House leadership, with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York expected to be the new minority leader.
Widely considered one of the most powerful House speakers in history — even ruefully by many Republican members of Congress — Pelosi’s announcement signaled not only a shift in generations but also a shift in regional power. Jeffries represents Brooklyn on the opposite coast from San Francisco. But if the current House Minority Leader succeeds in his effort to be elected speaker, California will retain that position.
Pelosi was reelected to her House seat in November with 84 percent of the vote.
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