Welcome to the Media Round Up! This week we’re collecting and sharing our favorite gender + politics stories.

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Nancy Pelosi announces retirement after decades in US Congress
BBC News, Lily Jamali, Aoife Walsh

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced she will not seek reelection after nearly 40 years in Washington. It marks the end of a storied political career: Pelosi, 85, became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House and led her party in the lower chamber of Congress from 2003 until 2023. Pelosi was first elected to Congress to represent San Francisco in 1987 aged 47, and quickly rose through the ranks. Pelosi played a critical role in advancing the agendas of multiple presidents during her long career on Capitol Hill. Nancy Pelosi aided in efforts passing Obama’s Affordable Care Act and major infrastructure and climate bills under Biden. She led two impeachment efforts against Donald Trump and helped advance key Democratic priorities like Covid relief and marriage equality. After stepping down as Speaker in 2022, she remained influential, helping pass California’s Proposition 50 to boost Democratic representation.

Rep. Elise Stefanik Launches Run For New York Governor
NBC News, Bridget Bowman and Melanie Zanona

On Friday, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) announced that she is launching a bid for governor in New York. Stefanik, who was first elected to Congress in 2014 as the youngest woman in the House, has risen through the ranks of Republican leadership and is a staunch ally of President Donald Trump. Her launch video focuses on affordability, blaming Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul for the high cost of living in the state. “Elise Stefanik will clean up Kathy Hochul’s catastrophe and restore New York’s greatness,” a narrator in the video says.

Women Elected Governor & Lt. Governor of the “Mother of Presidents” State

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger won the race for Virginia governor on Tuesday, making history as the commonwealth’s first female governor. A former CIA officer who arrived in Congress during an anti-Trump wave in which over one hundred women won House seats, Spanberger has campaigned on issues such as affordability, housing, and health care. Republican challenger Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears conceded defeat at her election watch party on Tuesday night, telling her supporters that she is “not going anywhere” and that she wishes her opponent well. Spanberger’s victory in Virginia, a swing state, is seen as a bellwether for the mood of the electorate heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Virginia’s Ghazala Hashmi Becomes The First Muslim Woman Elected Statewide In The U.S.
NBC News, Alexandra Marquez

On Tuesday, Virginia State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi became the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the United States. Hashmi, who won the commonwealth’s lieutenant governor’s race, also made history in 2019 when she became the first Muslim American woman elected to Virginia’s state legislature. In a speech Tuesday night, Hashmi thanked her supporters and noted that “together, we have carved a new historic path.” Though the position holds few official responsibilities, several lieutenant governors have used the job as a stepping stone for eventually mounting a gubernatorial campaign.

Sherrill is the Second Woman & First Democratic Woman in New Jersey to Win Governor’s Race 

On Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill was elected to be New Jersey’s next governor, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Sherrill, who was elected to Congress in the 2018 Year of the Woman, is now poised to become New Jersey’s second woman and first Democratic woman to serve as governor. Prior to serving in Congress, Sherrill served as a Navy helicopter pilot for more than nine years, flying active-duty missions in Europe and working as a Russian policy officer. After leaving the Navy, Sherrill attended law school at Georgetown University and worked in the U.S. attorney’s office in Newark as a community outreach specialist. She also emphasizes her role as a mother of four children and champion for consumers. Sherrill announced her plans to declare a state of emergency on electricity costs on her first day in office.

Sheffield Makes History as the First Woman Mayor of Detroit

Mary Sheffield made history on Tuesday, becoming the first woman elected as Mayor of Detroit, with the largest margin (77%) in the history of the city. This is 12 years after becoming Motor City’s youngest City Council member at age 26. “Tonight, our city adds another chapter to its great history. Seventy-five mayors have led this city. Not one has been a woman. But tonight, Detroit, as we know, that changes,” Sheffield said in her victory speech. Sheffield proudly acknowledged Detroit’s history of change. “We powered the arsenal of democracy. And from these Detroit streets came freedom. From the Underground Railroad to the fight for civil rights. This is the home of the labor movement. The birthplace of America’s middle class. And nearly 60 years ago, my grandfather, Horace Sheffield Jr., stood on the front lines during the walk to freedom, demanding jobs, dignity, and justice for every Detroiter.” She continued, “And now, almost six decades later, his granddaughter stands right here. Ready, equipped and prepared to continue that fight for all Detroiters.”

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles Wins Fifth Term; Democrats Seize All Four At-Large City Council Seats 
WFAE, Steve Harrison

Charlotte Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles won reelection on Tuesday, winning over 70 percent of the vote over Republican challenger Terrie Donovan’s 25.8 percent, with almost all votes counted. A heavy favorite in Charlotte, Lyles has had a difficult last two years as mayor; the city has suffered a number of controversies, including the August murder of Iryna Zarutska on the city’s Lynx Blue Line. Those problems did not seem to impact the mayor’s popularity much: in addition to winning reelection, she secured another success when the transportation sales tax referendum – which Lyles has supported for years – passed on Tuesday.

An Outlier in Irish Politics Has Become the Country’s President
New York Times, Mark Landler

Catherine Connolly, a 68-year-old left-wing lawyer and political independent, was recently elected president of Ireland with the largest popular mandate since the office was created in 1937. She has been compared by some to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Her victory reflects a surge of anti-establishment and progressive sentiment, particularly among young voters. Though the Irish presidency is largely ceremonial, Connolly’s defense of neutrality and skepticism of military expansion may put her at odds with the government, which seeks to ease restrictions on peacekeeping troop deployments.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Shuts Down 2028 Bid Rumors 

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on Wednesday dismissed reports she plans to run for president in 2028, calling them “baseless rumors.”  A media source reported this week that  Greene, who has become increasingly vocal in her criticism of the Republican Party and its leadership, particularly in the House, is telling people she wants to run for president in 2028. “The only thing that I’m focused on is being a representative for my district,” Greene told News Nation, adding that she blocked the reporter who published the speculation.

New Mexico is the first state to offer free child care for all, but early childhood education imperiled elsewhere 

Last Saturday, New Mexico became the first U.S. state to offer free child care to all residents, regardless of income. In an effort to boost the economy, New Mexico residents can now receive state vouchers to cover the cost of public and private child care fees. This program is estimated to cost $600 million annually, largely covered by interest from its Early Childhood Education and Care Fund. However on November 1st, across 41 states and Puerto Rico, 134 Head Start centers have stopped receiving funding due to the government shutdown. These centers, which serve more than 58,000 children, may be forced to close due to the lapse in funding. This impending collapse poses another challenge to women’s economic and personal security. If the government shutdown continues, there will likely be Head Start closures next week, creating lasting ramifications for women and families across the United States.