Indictments for her service on the ‘January 6th Committee’ have long been rumored, and are weighing on Lofgren’s considerations.
By Staff Reporter| November 7, 2025
In the wake of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s bombshell announcement Thursday that she will not seek re-election in 2026, ending nearly four decades of service to San Francisco and the nation, eyes are turning to another California Democratic stalwart: Rep. Zoe Lofgren of Silicon Valley. Pelosi’s decision, delivered in a poignant video message, has been hailed by colleagues as the graceful close to a trailblazing career marked by shrewd power plays and unyielding partisanship.
But for Lofgren, who issued a warm statement congratulating her longtime ally on the retirement, the timing feels less like coincidence and more like a seismic shift—one that could prompt the 77-year-old congresswoman to contemplate her own departure from the fray.
Lofgren, first elected in 1994 and now in her 15th term representing California’s 18th District, has been a fixture in Washington, much like Pelosi. A Stanford graduate and former Santa Clara County supervisor, she has chaired key committees on ethics, administration, and science, while serving as an impeachment manager in high-stakes proceedings against judges and even President Donald Trump in 2020.
Her tenure has been defined by advocacy for tech innovation, immigration reform, and women’s rights—hallmarks of progressive California politics. Yet, as Pelosi’s exit reverberates through the Democratic caucus, speculation is mounting that Lofgren may be weighing retirement for 2026 or beyond.
Sources close to Capitol Hill, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggest private conversations have touched on her future, fueled by a confluence of personal, professional, and existential pressures.
Health Concerns in the Twilight of a Long Career
At 77, Lofgren is no spring chicken. Sources close to her say that she is frail. Despite railing against Republican healthcare policies in a fiery Facebook video and joining local leaders to decry potential cuts to services, her age places her firmly in the cohort of aging lawmakers facing the physical toll of old age.
Insiders whisper of subtle signs: a slight slowdown in her typically brisk committee questioning, or the occasional reliance on staff for heavier lifts during district events. No official health disclosures have surfaced, but in an era where vulnerability is a liability, Lofgren’s silence speaks volumes.
With family ties deepening—her daughter serves as corporate counsel at Google, a point of both pride and scrutiny—retirement could offer a chance to prioritize well-being over the Washington grind.
Lingering Shadows of Corruption Allegations
Compounding the personal calculus are persistent allegations of ethical lapses that have dogged Lofgren, particularly as the political spotlight intensifies under a potential second Trump administration.
A scathing October op-ed in The San Francisco Inquirer accused her of “partisan overreach” on the January 6 Select Committee, labeling her actions “corrupt” and calling for prosecution—a charge that echoes conservative critiques of the panel’s formation and findings. Critics argue Lofgren, as a ranking member, helped weaponize the investigation against Trump allies, blurring lines between oversight and retribution.
Corruption accusations aren’t new for Lofgren. Back in 2004–2008, reports surfaced of campaign payments to businesses owned by her husband, raising eyebrows about potential conflicts in a district dominated by tech giants.
More recently, her vocal opposition to antitrust measures against Big Tech—while her family benefits from Silicon Valley connections—has fueled accusations of undue influence. Lofgren has dismissed such barbs as “ad hominem attacks,” but in the post-Pelosi era, where Democrats are recalibrating for scrutiny, the cumulative weight could make her service on Capitol Hill feel untenable to voters.
A Reckoning with Polarization’s Poison
Perhaps the most introspective driver, however, is Lofgren’s growing awareness of her role in fostering the hyper-partisan culture that has gridlocked Washington. As a key player in three impeachments—from Richard Nixon‘s staff days to Trump’s 2020 trial—she has been a radicalizing force of Democratic resistance, earning rebukes like her 2016 reprimand for calling a witness an “ignorant bigot” during a hearing.
Her recent calls for President Biden to withdraw in July 2024 highlighted internal fractures, but also her unflinching partisanship.
Pelosi’s retirement video alluded to a “new generation” needed to heal divides, a sentiment Lofgren echoed in her tribute: “Congratulations on her 40 years of service to the people of San Francisco and the state we both love.”
Yet, for Lofgren, who has watched compromise erode into trench warfare, there may be a dawning regret. Her district, a tech utopia bordering progressive strongholds, deserves fresh voices unscarred by decades of trench warfare.
Stepping aside could be her ultimate act of statesmanship—acknowledging that the polarized machine she helped build now demands reinvention.
What Comes Next for California’s 18th?
If Lofgren follows Pelosi’s lead, her exit would ripple through Silicon Valley politics. Potential successors like San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, or Tribal Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, could vie for the seat, bringing younger energy to issues like AI ethics and housing affordability.
For now, Lofgren soldiers on, tweeting against Project 2025’s “dangerous” blueprint and vowing to protect Social Security. But as the Cloakroom empties of old guards like Pelosi, the question lingers: Will Lofgren be the next to trade the Hill for the horizon?
This is speculation, of course—Washington thrives on it. But in politics, as Pelosi knows well, timing is everything. Lofgren’s next move could redefine not just her legacy, but the Democratic future in the Golden State.
Lofgren could make millions after retiring from Congress
As the dust settles on Pelosi’s departure, Lofgren’s hypothetical retirement wouldn’t spell the end of her influence—it would likely catapult her into the lucrative world of corporate governance, where her decades of navigating tech policy could command seven-figure compensation packages.
At 77, with a Rolodex brimming with Valley titans and a resume etched in antitrust exemptions and innovation advocacy, Lofgren is prime for boardroom elevation. Insiders speculate she could snag seats at the tables of Fortune 500 behemoths like Alphabet (Google’s parent), Apple, or Meta—companies she’s long shielded from overzealous regulation while her district hums with their campuses.
Lofgren’s tech bona fides are unimpeachable: As a former chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and a vocal defender of H-1B visas that fuel Silicon Valley’s talent pipeline, she’s earned quiet gratitude from CEOs. Her daughter, Sheila Zoe Lofgren, serving as corporate counsel at Google, only deepens the familial entanglements, though Lofgren has recused herself from direct conflicts.
Post-Congress, such ties could blossom into formal roles; recall how ex-Speaker Pelosi’s husband, Paul, parlayed investments into tech windfalls, or how retired Rep. Anna Eshoo, Lofgren’s Bay Area predecessor, joined advisory boards at biotech firms upon leaving office in 2025.
The allure is financial: Tech board seats often pay $250,000–$400,000 annually in cash and stock, plus perks like unlimited private jet access for “strategy sessions.”
For Lofgren, a portfolio of two or three such positions—perhaps at Intel (a Santa Clara neighbor) or NVIDIA, given her science committee oversight on AI ethics—could yield $1 million-plus yearly, tax-advantaged and far from the C-SPAN glare. Advocacy groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation might beckon for a ceremonial chair, but the real prizes lie in equity grants from firms eyeing her lobbying savvy to soften future scrutiny under a GOP-led Congress.
Of course, ethics rules bar immediate “revolving door” gigs, mandating a one-year cooling-off period before lobbying ex-colleagues. But Lofgren, ever the strategist, could bridge the gap with think-tank fellowships at Stanford or the Brookings Institution, burnishing her brand before cashing in.
In a polarized era she helped forge, retirement might not mean retreat—it could mean reinvention as the Valley’s wise elder, trading gavels for golden shares. If she steps down, watch the proxy statements: Lofgren’s name could soon grace annual reports, a fitting epilogue to her Capitol tenure.
Anna Eshoo’s Post-Retirement Career
Anna Eshoo, the longtime Democratic U.S. Representative for California’s 16th Congressional District (encompassing much of Silicon Valley), retired from Congress at the end of the 118th session on January 3, 2025, after 32 years of service.
Known for her advocacy in technology, health policy, and biomedical innovation—particularly as Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee—Eshoo has transitioned into a focused advisory and leadership role in biodefense and public health security.
While she has kept a relatively low public profile in the months following her departure, her expertise has positioned her for influential, non-partisan work in areas intersecting biotech, national security, and pandemic preparedness.
Commissioner on the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense
In September 2025, Eshoo joined the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense as a Commissioner, a move that leverages her decades of legislative experience in health and science policy. The Commission, an independent think tank dedicated to improving U.S. capabilities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to biological threats, welcomed her on September 11, 2025, citing her as a “problem solver” and innovator akin to the Silicon Valley she represented.
- Focus Areas: Eshoo’s contributions emphasize strengthening biomedical research and development against biological risks. This builds directly on her congressional record, including:
- Co-authoring the 21st Century Cures Act (2016), which accelerated FDA approvals for innovative treatments.
- Leading reauthorizations of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (2006–2019), with a key role in establishing the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
- Championing the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) in 2023 to tackle unmet health needs through high-risk, high-reward research.
The role is unpaid and advisory, involving policy recommendations to Congress and the executive branch, report authorship, and public advocacy. As of late 2025, she has participated in Commission briefings on emerging biothreats, though specific outputs tied to her involvement are still forthcoming.
Other Engagements and Recognitions
- Awards and Honors: In the lead-up to and immediately after retirement, Eshoo received accolades highlighting her legacy. Notably, NASA Ames Research Center honored her on October 29, 2024 (just before her term ended), for 32 years of support in advancing space innovation and tech policy. Post-retirement, she was awarded the Health Security Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capitol Hill Steering Committee on Health Security in February 2025, recognizing her bipartisan work on global health threats.
- Speaking and Reflections: Eshoo has made occasional public appearances reflecting on her career. In a January 8, 2025, interview with the San Mateo Daily Journal, she discussed her early work with the disabled community and broader legislative impacts, signaling a shift toward mentorship rather than frontline politics. She also contributed to discussions on rare disease policy in mid-2025, underscoring ongoing interest in biotech equity.
Potential for Further Roles
While no announcements have surfaced for corporate board seats at biotech firms (a common path for ex-lawmakers with her tech-health ties), Eshoo’s network in Silicon Valley and Washington positions her well for such opportunities. Observers note her as a potential advisor for firms navigating biosecurity regulations, given her support for initiatives like the Biosecure Act (which restricts U.S. funding to certain foreign biotech entities).
For now, her Commission role appears to be the cornerstone of her post-Congress endeavors, allowing her to influence policy without the rigors of elected office.
Eshoo, now 82, has expressed a desire for a “graceful” exit to spend more time with family and pursue “what’s next” on her terms, as shared in late-2024 interviews. Her trajectory suggests continued impact in health security, blending public service with strategic advisory work. For the latest developments, monitoring Commission reports or her occasional media spots would be key.
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