Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi could soon return to Congress for a landmark 20th term, according to projections reported by The Hill on Wednesday. The news comes ahead of the Congressional elections, which are being held alongside the highly contested presidential race, with 34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats at stake.
At 84 years old, Pelosi, a Democrat representing California’s 11th Congressional District, is on track to secure reelection, with early voting data showing she has captured over 80% of the vote as half of the ballots are counted. Pelosi first entered Congress in 1987 and made history as the first woman to serve as House Speaker, a role she has held twice. She is also the longest-serving Democratic leader in Congressional history.
Pelosi’s return to Congress would come at a time of significant political tension. The ongoing presidential race has yet to yield official results, but projections suggest that former President Donald Trump has already secured enough wins in key battleground states to surpass the 270 electoral votes needed to reclaim the White House. In the Senate, the Republicans have regained control for the first time in four years, while the balance of power in the House remains uncertain due to numerous races still too close to call.
Despite their opposing political paths, Pelosi and Trump have shared a long and contentious relationship. As one of Trump’s fiercest critics, Pelosi famously led impeachment efforts against him during his presidency and has repeatedly condemned his leadership. In interviews, Pelosi described Trump as a “snake-oil salesman” and “the creature from the Black Lagoon,” while also making her stance clear that her “goal in life” was to ensure he never returns to the White House.
In response, Trump has not held back in his criticism of Pelosi. During his campaign’s closing speech, he called her an “evil, sick, crazy, horrible human being” and “trouble for our country.” He went on to call her America’s “enemy from within” in a Fox News interview, a comment that reflects the bitter personal animosity between the two political figures.
As the nation awaits the final results of both the presidential and Congressional elections, Pelosi’s possible return to Washington will mark a significant moment in U.S. politics, adding another chapter to her long and influential career in Congress.
