Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined PBS News on election night, as she has every election night since 2016, and predicted a strong night for Democrats. It is her final campaign as a member of Congress. She retires when her term ends in January.
Host Amna Nawaz noted that this cycle has been compared to 2006, when Democrats won back Congress and made Pelosi the first woman to serve as speaker. Asked about her predictions, Pelosi said she expects "a big victory" with "many seats" in the House. "I want 30," she said. She cautioned that many races would be won by slim margins.
Pelosi told voters "be not afraid" and urged them to vote. She said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had worked to win the election, protect it and show people what Democrats would do with power.
Nawaz asked about Michigan, where Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Senate primary, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Pelosi called it a distraction and predicted Democrats would still win the seat.
She said Jeffries "will be the speaker of the House" if Democrats win. She brushed aside some newer candidates who have not committed to backing him. Pelosi said the party's priorities would include lowering the cost of living and protecting health care, along with reversing what she called Trump's cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and food aid for children.
Pelosi also reflected on how much has changed. When she arrived in Congress, she said, there were 12 Democratic women in the House. She expects that number to top 100, and she said she is supporting Connie Chan in her own San Francisco district.
Asked about life after Congress, Pelosi said she is focused on this election. She said she will keep supporting Democrats and will teach at Berkeley, training young leaders.
Sources: PBS News