In a CNN “State of the Union” interview on Sunday, Nancy Pelosi told Dana Bash that “members are asking me to consider” running for House leadership and that she will “of course” make a decision about re-election before November 30th. The comments are the clearest sign yet that Pelosi is considering another run for a leadership position which she has held for nearly two decades. Many were assured that a “red wave” would finally put an end to Pelosi’s time in the House but a surprisingly strong Democratic performance in midterms has given her new life. It is also possible that last month’s brutal attack on her husband, Paul, is giving Pelosi more motivation to retain her role.
Pelosi went on to tell CNN:
“Nonetheless, a great deal is at stake because we’ll be in a presidential election. So my decision will again be rooted in the wishes of my family and the wishes of my caucus. But none of it will be very much considered until we see what the outcome of all of this is. And there are all kinds of ways to exert influence.”
“any decision to run is about family, and also my colleagues and what we want to do is go forward in a very unified way, as we go forward to prepare for the Congress at hand.”
What is for certain is that both Democrats and Republicans have a lot up in the air heading into their leadership elections this month. How those elections play out will give an insight into how each party plans to move into the future.