The 78-year-old California lawmaker overcame a robust resistance movement that has been demanding a new generation of leadership following a strong showing in this month’s midterm elections, when Democrats snatched the House majority from President Donald Trump’s Republicans.

Pelosi, a master legislator and political strategist who served as House speaker for four years from 2007, prevailed in a secret-ballot vote by Democratic lawmakers.

“I’m proud to be the nominee of the House Democratic caucus once again for speaker of the House,” she said.

Pelosi played a pivotal role in her party’s winning performance in the midterms, raising millions of dollars for candidates and keeping Democrats focused on their main hot-button issue on the campaign trail: health care.

Pelosi now turns her attention to the vote for speaker, which will occur on the House floor January 3, the first day of the incoming Congress, where the vote is expected to be far closer.

No Republicans are likely to vote for Pelosi, meaning she can afford only a handful of defectors in her camp in order to reclaim the gavel. DM