Nancy Pelosi will not seek re-election to the House of Representatives - here’s who could replace her

Nancy Pelosi, the trailblazing US politician who became Donald Trump's nemesis during his first term, is standing down from Congress when her term expires next year. The California Democrat became the first woman to lead the United States House of Representatives when she took the gavel in 2007 as the 51st Speaker.

Daughter of congressman Thomas D'Alesandro Jr, Pelosi held the role of Speaker twice - from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.

During Trump's first term as President, she shot to fame around the world for her staunch opposition to his policies and pronouncements, including becoming a viral meme when she stood and tore up her copy of his State of the Union address in the House in 2020.

In another infamous image, she was pictured rowing with the President during a meeting at the White House, as shocked fellow politicians looked on, with her antics making her a poster-girl enemy for US Republicans.

In 2022, Pelosi announced she was standing down as Speaker - but remaining as a Representative - with New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries taking on the role. Now, the 85-year-old has revealed she will not seek re-election in 2026, when her term expires.

Who could replace Nancy Pelosi?

After winning her seat as representative for San Francisco in Congress in 1987, potential replacements for her have come and gone, but who is shaping up for the role in 2026?

Christine Pelosi: In the US tradition of political dynasties, we may have to look no further than the Pelosi household for the legendary speaker's replacement - her daughter, Christine. Already an executive committee member of the Democratic National Committee, the 59-year-old has been coy about potentially running to replace her mother. Which means she probably will.

Connie Chan: Chan, 47, is a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Seen as a progressive, she was born in Hong Kong and moved to the city at the age of 13. In an interesting twist, Chan was previously an advisor to a former San Francisco District Attorney - one Kamala Harris.

Scott Wiener: A member of the California State Senate since 2016, Wiener is a rising star in the Democratic party, having previously served on the Board of Supervisors. He has established a reputation as being strong on housing - a major issue in cities such as San Francisco. A Harvard Law School graduate, Wiener was born in Philadelphia and grew up in New Jersey.

Saikat Chakrabarti: A candidate that would be popular on the left of the Democratic Party, 39-year-old Chakrabarti is set to run to replace Pelosi. He is of Indian descent and was raised in a Bengali Hindu household in Fort Worth, Texas. One of his previous jobs - as chief of staff to progressive US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) - would be sure to attract a lot of attention among voter and pundits.