House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declined on Feb. 13 to say whether she'll hold to her promise of not trying to be speaker again if Democrats maintain control of the lower chamber following the upcoming midterm elections.
“That’s not a question,” Pelosi told ABC’s “This Week.”
“My purpose right now is just to win that election. It’s to win that election. Nothing less is at stake than our democracy.”
Pelosi and other top Democrat officials, many of whom are among the oldest members in the lower chamber, reached a deal in 2018 with fellow Democrats that saw her acquire enough votes to become speaker. The deal included the stipulation that Pelosi would only serve two more terms as speaker.
Pelosi confirmed the arrangement in 2020 after she was nominated to the second consecutive term as speaker.
“What I said then is whether it passes or not, I will abide by those limits that are there,” she said.
Pelosi is the first woman in history to serve as speaker, which is the House’s presiding officer and parliamentary leader. She was speaker previously for two terms from 2007 to 2011.
The question could become moot if Republicans flip the House, as the speaker comes from the majority party.
Many Republicans are optimistic about the party’s chances, especially as polls indicate growing dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden and other Democrats in power. Historically, the party that doesn’t hold the presidency gains congressional seats in midterm elections.
Pelosi said on Feb. 13 that Democrats were taking nothing for granted, but that redistricting “did not do us harm” and the party has been recruiting strong candidates and raising money.
“We have every intention every single day to do everything in our power. We have decided to win and that’s what we will do.”
