SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Tuesday, January 25,  that she is running for reelection, citing the “crucial” need to defend American democracy through legislation on voting rights and other issues, a Washington Post report says.

Pelosi, 81, has served in Congress since 1987

“While we have made progress, much more needs to be done to improve people’s lives,” Pelosi said in a video posted to her Twitter feed. “Our democracy is at risk because of assaults on the truth, the assault on the U.S. Capitol, and the state-by-state assault on voting rights. This election is crucial. Nothing less is at stake than our democracy.”

She added: “But as we say, we don’t agonize, we organize. And that is why I am running for reelection to Congress and respectfully seek your support. I would be greatly honored by it and grateful for it.”

House Democrats begin preparing for the post-Pelosi era

Pelosi has led House Democrats for 19 years through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and now President Biden. She was instrumental in ensuring the passage of the Affordable Care Act during Obama’s tenure. Democrats’ focus on preserving the law helped the party reclaim the House majority in 2018.

In 2018, Pelosi said this term would be her last as speaker, but she made no mention of her plans in the announcement Tuesday. Pelosi, the first woman to be elected House speaker, has managed to unite the moderate and liberal factions in her party to pass legislation, while previous speakers — most notably John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) — often struggled with the fractious GOP.

In her video Tuesday, Pelosi spoke directly to the camera, with the San Francisco skyline behind her. She thanked her constituents for “giving me the privilege to represent our city and our San Francisco values in the Congress — human rights, reproductive justice, LGBTQ equality, respect for immigrants and care for each other.” “When people ask me what are the three most important issues facing the Congress, I always say the same thing: Our children, our children, our children,” she added. Her reelection announcement was expected, but it remains to be seen whether she will remain the Democratic leader after the current Congress.

“The Speaker is not on a shift, she’s on a mission,” Pelosi’s spokesman, Drew Hammill, said in an email when asked whether Pelosi plans to run again for speaker or minority leader.

Pelosi’s announcement came hours after longtime Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) said he would not seek another term. Cooper is the 29th Democrat to decide against reelection or pursuit of another office.

The party faces strong head winds in holding its majority because of Biden’s falling approval numbers, redistricting and the reality that the party holding the White House typically loses seats in a president’s first midterm election.

(Source: Washington Post)