A shrewd political strategist, California Rep. Nancy Pelosi has had an unprecedented career in Congress. First elected in 1987, Pelosi became one of the most effective leaders of the Democratic Party.

Nancy Pelosi's retirement signals the last in a series of Capitol Hill departures for powerful California politicians, leaving the state bereft of the influence it once enjoyed.

The 85-year-old Democratic leader didn't say why she isn't running for reelection. It comes as one lawmaker recently announced his bid for her seat.

SAN FRANCISCO — Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House and one of the most powerful women in modern American politics, will retire from Congress next year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection to the U.S. House, bringing to a close her storied career as not only the first woman in the speaker’s office but arguably the most powerful in American politics.

The daughter of a politician, she didn’t expect to become one. But once she ran for office in 1987, there was no stopping her.

Rob Bonta told POLITICO he will support Wiener, a prominent state lawmaker vying to represent San Francisco in the House.

There is renewed buzz on Capitol Hill that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is preparing to announce that she will not seek reelection -- though sources stress that the decision is Pelosi's alone and the fuss about her political future is just speculation until she makes an announcement.