Pelosi has not discussed her plans since Democrats picked up as many as eight seats. Pelosi to meet with top House Dems

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will meet with top Democrats on Tuesday night — followed by another leadership-only session early Wednesday as she prepares for a meeting with all House Democrats — but it is still unclear whether she will stay or go after nearly a decade in power.

Pelosi has declined to discuss her plans since Democrats picked up as many as eight seats on Election Day. During an interview Sunday with San Francisco-based reporters on Sunday, Pelosi wasn’t giving anything away.


“When I see my caucus, I will discuss it with them in the beginning of this week rather than discuss it with rumor in Washington,” Pelosi told the reporters. “I will make that announcement to my caucus. I know that we’re best friends and all, but I think that I will share that with them first.”

A Pelosi spokesman said on Monday that he was not aware of any scheduled announcement at Wednesday’s Democratic Caucus meeting, the first chance all her rank-and-file members will have to see Pelosi since Election Day.

“She’s talking with members. When she’s ready to make an announcement, she will do so,” said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.

The betting inside the Democratic Caucus so far — despite no information to go on — is that Pelosi stays put. Pelosi has been calling members and candidates as she normally would following Election Day, and she spoke briefly to Hoyer over the weekend. The phone conversation with Hoyer was first reported by Roll Call.

If she stays, the 72-year-old Pelosi will go unchallenged as minority leader. Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and other top leaders will all stay put.

But if Pelosi leaves, Hoyer and Assistant Democrat Leader James Clyburn (S.C.) would likely move up, with Hoyer taking over as minority leader and Clyburn moving up to minority whip. Other Democrats, such as Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), have been mentioned as potential challengers to Hoyer, although it is not clear that either would do so.