Nancy Pelosi is poised to be elected as House speaker with the first vote of the new Democratic majority.
The California Democrat is the only woman who has held the office and will join the few elected officials who returned to it. The last time a speaker regained the gavel was more than a half-century ago.
While Pelosi says she knew this moment would arrive, it wasn't guaranteed. Others had their doubts - or actively worked against her.
She has spent her political career being underestimated, only to prove the naysayers wrong. In this case, it was by winning back the Democratic majority and amassing the votes for the speaker's job.
Pelosi remains a highly polarizing figure, vilified by Republicans as a San Francisco liberal and caricature of big government.
(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
