Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to step aside after nearly four decades in Congress kicks off a wide-open contest to replace her at a time when her home city of San Francisco is roiled in

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the longest-serving House Democratic Leader in history. (Official U.S. House photo)

Saikat Chakrabarti, 39, a software engineer and co-founder of the progressive organization Justice Democrats and president of New Consensus, announced his run against Pelosi in February. He has had a successful behind-the-scenes political campaign career, as well as in software engineering. He is a Harvard University graduate.

Pelosi was forced to relinquish the gavel in 2011 after a Republican Tea Party wave flipped the House to the GOP. But she regained it in 2019 when Democrats retook the majority in the midterm elections during Trump’s first term. Under her leadership, the House would impeach Trump twice, in 2019 and 2021, though both times the Senate acquitted him.

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.

Before first taking Congressional office in 1988, the then-47-year-old freshman and her hubby, venture capitalist Paul Pelosi, reported between $610,000 and $785,000 in stocks in their portfolio, according to a copy of her "hand delivered" 1987 financial disclosure form.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s decision to step aside after nearly four decades in Congress has opened a wide race

As Ms. Pelosi announced her retirement, she was celebrated for her long tenure in Washington. But back home, she was remembered for showing up at a terrifying moment when others turned away.