Pelosi files 2026 statement of candidacy with midterm elections on horizon
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Thursday filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in advance of the 2026 midterm elections.
The filing, known as FEC Form 2, is required for any individual who is a candidate for federal office. An individual is considered a candidate by the FEC whenever they raise or spend over $5,000.
"The candidate is personally responsible for the timely and complete filing of this Statement and for the accuracy of any information contained in it," the FORM 2 instructions read.
Her filing lists "House of Representatives" under office sought and "California-11" under state and district.
A representative of Rep. Pelosi's office denied the filing was indicative of a reelection bid when reached by The National News Desk (TNND) via phone Friday, claiming it was solely intended to report campaign fundraising. They declined comment when asked to say whether the former House speaker planned to run for reelection.
Rep. Pelosi last week blamed President Joe Biden for Vice President Kamala Harris's failure to win the presidential election, saying his late decision to exit the race didn't give Democrats enough time to organize an "open primary." Rep. Pelosi is rumored to have played a role in his exit, though she maintains the decision was Biden's alone.
"The anticipation was that, if the president were to step aside, that there would be an open primary," she said. "Because the president endorsed Kamala Harris immediately, that really made it almost impossible to have a primary at that time. Had it been much earlier, it would have been different."
She is also a prominent opponent of President-elect Donald Trump, having repeatedly sparred with him during his first term in office. Trump renewed their feud this campaign season by personally attacking her.
"She's an evil, sick, crazy it starts with a B, but I won't say it," Trump said. "I want to say it."
Rep. Pelosi has already begun laying the groundwork for Democrats' response to the coming Trump administration. The Washington Post on Wednesday awarded her "four Pinocchios" after it fact-checked her claim that fewer migrants entered the U.S. under Biden than under Trump.
Rep. Pelosi, 84, recently won reelection to her 20th term representing California's 11th Congressional District. The House's oldest member, Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., is three years her senior at 87.
