Pelosi to quit as speaker after Democrats lose lower chamber

NANCY PELOSI, the first female speaker of the US House and one of the most powerful Democrats of the past 20 years, is stepping down from her leadership role after her party lost control of the lower chamber to the Republicans.

The 82-year-old, who is second in line to the presidency, was a staunch ally of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and vilified by her political opponents who made it their mission to see her “fired”.

Ms Pelosi announced in a spirited speech on the House floor that she will step aside after leading Democrats for nearly two decades and in the aftermath of the attack on her husband, Paul, last month in their San Francisco home.

The California Democrat, who rose to become the nation’s first woman to wield the speaker’s gavel, said she would remain in Congress as the representative from San Francisco, a position she has held for 35 years, when the new Congress convenes in January.

The only person in decades to be twice elected to the role of speaker, Ms Pelosi has led Democrats through key moments, including passage of the Affordable Care Act with Mr Obama and the impeachments of Donald Trump.

By announcing her decision, Ms Pelosi could launch a domino effect in House Democratic leadership in the lead-up to internal party elections next month as Democrats reorganise as the minority party for the new Congress.

The Democratic Representatives Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Pete Aguilar of California have been mentioned as possible successors.

Mr Jeffries could make history if he enters the race to become the nation’s first black speaker of the House.