‘Grace and strength.’ California political world pays tribute to outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Thursday marked the end of a political era, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she will step down from Democratic leadership.

California Republicans were largely silent about Pelosi’s news. But a handful of GOP representatives were in the House chamber when she gave her speech and joined in a standing ovation afterward, including Reps. Mike Garcia, Doug LaMalfa and Young Kim.

The Republican National Committee did send out an email blast Thursday, bragging that Pelosi “has been fired — this time permanently.”

Democrats were effusive in their praise of the first woman to hold the speaker’s gavel.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom called Pelosi “the model of dedicated public service” and praised her three decades of service in the house.

“Speaker Pelosi has never wavered in the fight to better our nation, even in the face of opposition or hate. Time and again, she has delivered for California and for the nation, often in the face of unspeakable odds. Her career in Congress, and as speaker, has been a masterclass in powerful, empathetic leadership, guided by her strong moral compass and unmatched political skill,“ Newsom said in a statement.

Pelosi’s colleagues in the U.S. Senate, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, both offered remarks Thursday praising her service.

“Californians will never forget her leadership for our state,” Padilla wrote in a tweet.

In a statement, Feinstein, who like Pelosi came to political power from San Francisco, said that the outgoing speaker’s decision to step aside “is personally very difficult for me.”

“Nancy has served in House Democratic leadership for more than two decades. She led the party through ups and downs – wars, impeachments and an insurrection but also historic legislative victories like the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act that continue to shape the future of our nation,” Feinstein said.

Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar of the San Bernadino area, who is likely to have a leadership position in the next Congress, thanked Pelosi for her “tireless advocacy for our state” in a tweet.

In the California Legislature, Democratic leaders in both houses had kind words.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, wrote in a tweet thanking Pelosi “for everything,” while Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, in a tweet called Pelosi “an icon, a legend and the embodiment of California values.”

“Her fierce leadership will be greatly missed,” Atkins wrote.

State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said tweeted that Pelosi “moves with grace and strength,” and that she is “one of the great leaders in American history.”

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg observed that Pelosi always treated him and others she worked with as if they were the only people that mattered.

“I have never, ever met a politician more present and attentive in every interaction with people,” Steinberg wrote in a tweet.

As talk shifts to what legacy Pelosi leaves behind, California climate activist R.L. Miller offered a suggestion for a way she should be honored.

“Nancy Pelosi needs a big DC building named after her. As in, Rayburn, Longworth, Pelosi... She’s leaving a truly massive legacy,” Miller wrote in a tweet.

This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 2:08 PM.