Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to step aside exposes deeper leadership issues in Democratic Party, sources claim

WASHINGTON, DC: It looks like Rep Nancy Pelosi is not ready to give up her crown just yet.

Despite the Democratic Party’s humiliating faceplant in the 2024 elections—where they lost the White House, the Senate, and the House—Pelosi is digging in her heels. Sources told the New York Post that she’s holding tight to her grip on the party, brushing off the rising wave of Democrats calling for her to step aside.

Apparently, even former president Joe Biden is blaming Pelosi for the whole mess. According to insiders, he named her one of the main architects behind the last-minute push to replace him with Kamala Harris as the 2024 nominee—and it ended with the Democrats being steamrolled across the board.

Democratic Party wants fresh blood—but Nancy Pelosi won't budge

Even House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries—who’s supposed to be the new face of Democratic leadership—is reportedly ready to see Nancy Pelosi move on. Younger members are itching for fresh energy. But Pelosi is sticking with the status quo like nothing happened.

“As long as Nancy takes a breath, she is going to do what she wants to do,” said Willie Brown, former San Francisco mayor who was once in a relationship with Kamala Harris. 

"She’s the heart and soul of the Democratic Party, particularly for Californians,” he added to the Post.

But behind the curtain, not everyone’s singing her praises. One former Democratic New York City lawmaker spilled that she still "meddles" in the party's key decisions.

“Hakeem wants her out,” they said, referring to Jeffries. “Nancy has her hand in every decision he makes as leader. She just can’t help herself.”

For the record, Jeffries’ camp put on a polite face. His spokesperson said, “Leader Jeffries has repeatedly and publicly made clear that he and House Democrats are proud to stand on the historic shoulders of Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi.”

However, sources say the behind-the-scenes reality is far messier.

Pelosi turned 85 and still filed paperwork in November to run again in 2026 for her 21st term in Congress. She’s sitting on a campaign war chest of nearly $10 million, according to the Federal Election Commission.

With a net worth estimated at $250 million, Pelosi’s image as the ultimate corporate Democrat is exactly what many progressives are trying to shake off.

Challengers are stepping up and speaking out

Saikat Chakrabarti, 39— former chief of staff to New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and mastermind behind the failed Green New Deal —is challenging Nancy Pelosi in the 2026 Democratic primary and has made it clear he’s fed up.

“I really feel like the Democrats actually need to become a party that’s fighting tooth and nail for the working class and middle class right now,” Chakrabarti said. After the brutal 2024 loss, he expected changes. Instead, he listened to Pelosi double down on the same old strategy in a New York Times podcast.

“She basically made the case for how the Democrats don’t really need to change,” he told Rolling Stone. “You know, that they ran a great race, did their best, and nothing needs to change. That was the first warning sign to me.”

He’s not alone.

Jake Rakov, 37, is also stepping into the ring in Southern California. He’s running for Congress and isn’t afraid to challenge the Pelosi-era playbook.

“I am running because the Democratic Party needs a new generation to step up,” he told the Post. “Nancy Pelosi has been there for a great long time, and she has done amazing things, but right now we need new energy for Congress.”

Rakov, a former communications consultant and ex-aide to Rep Brad Sherman, is all about clean campaigning. He’s refusing corporate PAC money and pushing for congressional term limits to be capped at five terms. “It was never meant to be a lifelong career,” he said.

Is Nancy Pelosi passing the torch to her daughter?

Some insiders believe Nancy Pelosi is already plotting her succession plan—and it’s keeping things in the family.

“If I had to guess about Pelosi’s next move, I would say she is preparing to resign and give the seat to her daughter,” a Democratic campaign finance expert dished to the Post anonymously.

That daughter is Christine Pelosi, 58—seasoned Democratic strategist, author, and former Women’s Caucus Chair of the California Democratic Party. She also served as Special Counsel at HUD during the Clinton-Gore years. 

While the party simmers with discontent, Pelosi’s longtime ally Willie Brown, now 91, is still Team Nancy all the way. He’s known her for over 50 years and continues to shower her with praise.

“Nobody matches her with the speakership skills that Nancy is blessed with. She is awesome in every way,” he told the Post.

He saw her at a recent San Francisco event. Though they didn’t talk politics, he doesn’t think she’s stepping down anytime soon.