Speculation about Pelosi’s future grows as Republicans retain House control

House Republicans easily kept control of the lower chamber, a result that will only intensify questions about the political future of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

She had worked tirelessly this election cycle — including a torturous, non-stop run over the last 100 days — to bring the Speaker's gavel back into Democratic hands, visiting scores of battleground districts and raising tens of millions of dollars for struggling members of her party. And though it remains uncertain precisely what the House breakdown will be in the next Congress, it's clear enough that Rep Pelosi and the Democrats fell far short of flipping the 25 seats they needed to retake the House from Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and the Republicans. Speculation has swirled all cycle about what Rep Pelosi would do if the Democrats took the House, or lost seats, or managed something in between. She shrugged it all off, insisting she would decide her political future only after the elections. A growing list of ambitious Democrats, from old bulls like Reps. Steny Hoyer (MD) and James Clyburn (SC) to younger up-and-comers like Reps. Chris Van Hollen (MD) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL), are eager to jump into the leadership shuffle that would occur if Rep Pelosi stepped out of power.