Speaker Nancy Pelosi poised to announce future plans after Republicans win the House

Speaker Nancy Pelosi was set Thursday to announce whether she plans to stay on as Democratic leader in the House of Representatives. The decision comes after Republicans secured control of the House by a narrow majority on Wednesday and in the aftermath of a brutal hammer attack on her husband, Paul, in late October by an intruder in their San Francisco home.

“The Speaker plans to address her future plans (Thursday) to her colleagues,” Drew Hammill, a Pelosi spokesman posted on social media. “Stay tuned.”

Pelosi is expected to speak on the House floor, but no time was provided.

The speaker “has been overwhelmed by calls from colleagues, friends and supporters,” Hammill said and noted that she had spent Wednesday evening monitoring election returns in the final states where ballots were still being counted.

Underscoring the uncertainty about Pelosi’s next move, the powerful Democrat reportedly brought home two different speeches to make a final decision Wednesday night.

First elected to the House in 1987, Pelosi has long been ridiculed by Republicans as a San Francisco liberal while steadily rising as a skilled legislator and fundraising powerhouse. Her own Democratic colleagues have intermittently appreciated but also feared Pelosi’s powerful brand of leadership.

If Pelosi does step down, it could set off a scramble within the House Democratic leadership.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is considered a potential front-runner to take over the mantle in a move that would signal a generational change since Pelosi’s two top lieutenants are also aging, but Pelosi’s top deputy, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), may hope to take Pelosi’s spot at least for the next two years.

The No. 3 House Democrat, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), has said he plans to stay on in the leadership but is not a candidate to become Democratic leader.