WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who made history as the first woman to hold the speaker’s gavel, announced Thursday she will retire, ending a 40-year legislative career as one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress.

Her announcement came after Tuesday’s elections. Pelosi had a hand in crafting what was known as Proposition 50 in California to redraw the state’s congressional districts, in response to Republican redistricting efforts in Texas to gain more GOP seats in the House.

The remap passed, and Democrats swept major state races across the country, including the governorships in Virginia and New Jersey.

In a video posted to social media, Pelosi, 85, thanked her constituents in her San Francisco congressional district.

“I will not be seeking reelection to C

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