WASHINGTON — Nancy Pelosi’s historic run as speaker will come to an end with the Democrats’ unexpectedly narrow loss of their House majority, a power flip that will revive pressure on her to let a new generation of leaders take over the party.
Pelosi, 82, has been the Democratic House leader for almost two decades and is the only woman to be elected speaker, serving in two stretches and under four presidents.
Yet despite her prodigious fundraising prowess and tight control of the caucus, Pelosi’s hold on the top spot was challenged even before the midterm elections as centrists and progressives alike agitated for change.
