"When Nancy Pelosi first ran for Congress, she was one of 14 candidates, the front-runner and a target. At the time, Pelosi was little known to San Francisco voters. But she was already a fixture in national politics. She was a major Democratic fundraiser, who helped lure the party's 1984 national convention to her adopted home town. She served as head of California's Democratic Party and hosted a salon that was a must-stop for any politician passing through."
"The Affordable Care Act - President Obama's signature achievement - would never have passed if Pelosi had not insisted on pressing on when many, including some in the White House, wished to surrender. She played a significant role in twice helping rescue the country from economic collapse - the first time in 2009 amid the Great Recession, then in 2020 during the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic - mustering recalcitrant Democrats to ensure House passage."
Nancy Pelosi entered Congress as one of 14 candidates with deep ties to Democratic politics, having been a major fundraiser and California party leader. She succeeded Rep. Sala Burton after a personal endorsement and won despite never having held elected office, balancing family obligations and political work. Pelosi became the nation's first female House speaker and a central leader who united Democratic factions and enforced party discipline. She drove passage of the Affordable Care Act by insisting on continuing when others wanted to abandon it. She helped lead congressional action to address economic collapse in 2009 and again in 2020, rallying reluctant Democrats to pass rescue measures.
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