Pelosi’s days in control of the speaker’s gavel are coming to an end.
It’s all thanks to one stunning announcement.
And now, this top political ally just delivered stunning news that could spell the end for Pelosi’s career.
The tidal wave of Democrat retirements from Congress is continuing at full steam.
Not only are a near record number of Nancy Pelosi’s fellow caucus members calling it quits, but some of the top Democrats in the country are starting to step down in key swing seats that could determine control of Congress for the rest of Biden’s presidency.
Politico reports, “Rep. Stephanie Murphy, a leading voice of House Democrats’ moderate wing, announced she won’t seek reelection next fall in another stinging loss for her party.”
“Murphy is the 22nd incumbent House Democrat to forgo a reelection bid next year. The growing wave of departures comes as historical and political headwinds suggest a likely GOP midterm takeover, and as the House itself becomes a more toxic and stressful environment”
Murphy’s seat is one of the most hotly contested in all of Florida, and could be a must-win for Democrats if they hope to hold onto control of the chamber.
But in recent maps proposed by the Republican-controlled Florida legislature, it seems that Murphy’s seat could end up being a Trump +11 district, making it very likely that Republicans will end up picking the seat up in 2022.
“Florida is in the process of drawing new maps, and the state legislature will not meet until early next year to select a final version. At least one of those proposed maps from the state House would nuke Murphy’s central Florida district,” adds Politico.
For Pelosi herself, Murphy’s retirement comes as a stunning surprise and a political betrayal. As one of the leading House Democrats, Murphy was a key political ally of Pelosi against AOC’s led “Squad”, and her retirement makes it all the more difficult for Pelosi to keep her own job as Speaker of the House.
“Party leaders have sought to downplay the rush of retirements this year, as they attempt to hold onto their majority next November despite worsening political headwinds. But the Florida Democrat acknowledged that her departure is unlike many of her colleagues, who are leaving after decades in office or to seek higher office,” concludes Politico.
For Pelosi, the news could not have come at a worse time.
Not only is one of her top allies stepping down, but it appears like the seat she held could very well flip to Republicans, where state Rep. Anthony Sabatini – a conservative champion in the Florida legislature – looks to flip the seat next November.
If Sabatini is able to pull it off, it could serve as the deciding seat in determining which party controls Congress for the rest of Biden’s term in office, and it would also likely spell the end of Pelosi’s career as Speaker of the House, and possibly force her own retirement from Congress as well.