Squad member Ayanna Pressley announces decision on challenging Ed Markey in primary
In a significant political development, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” has announced her decision to seek re-election for Massachusetts’s 7th Congressional District instead of challenging incumbent Senator Ed Markey for his U.S. Senate seat. This announcement, made on Tuesday, puts an end to months of speculation regarding her potential candidacy in the highly competitive Democratic primary. In her statement, Pressley expressed gratitude for the encouragement she received from voters across the state, describing it as “deeply humbling” and a testament to the strength of her movement.
Pressley explained that her choice to remain in the House was influenced by personal considerations, particularly her desire to be present for her daughter during her final year at home before heading off to college. She noted that while it would be an honor to serve the entire Commonwealth, her commitment to her family and her constituents in the Massachusetts 7th District was paramount at this moment. This decision also sidesteps a potentially contentious primary battle between her and Markey, who has long been associated with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Notably, a recent poll indicated that Pressley could have posed a serious challenge to Markey, narrowly leading him in a hypothetical matchup, which underscores her strong support among voters.
In her announcement, Pressley reflected on her accomplishments during her tenure in Congress, which include expanding mental health support and securing substantial federal funding for her district. She reaffirmed her dedication to advocating for a more just and equitable Massachusetts, signaling her commitment to continue addressing the pressing issues facing her constituents. While she did not endorse any candidate in the Senate race, her decision to focus on her congressional seat leaves the door open for a potential Senate run in the future, as she indicated she is not closing off that possibility. With the Democratic primary shaping up to be competitive, Pressley’s choice not only highlights her priorities but also adds another layer of complexity to the political landscape in Massachusetts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kisv_ocZasY
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., a key member of the progressive “Squad,” announced Tuesday she will run for re-election in
Massachusetts’s 7th Congressional District
rather than challenge Sen. Ed Markey for his U.S. Senate seat.
Her decision, shared in a statement, ends months of speculation that she might enter the Democratic primary.
Pressley said in her statement that the encouragement she received from voters across the state was “deeply humbling.”
“Hearing from so many people from throughout our Commonwealth encouraging me to run for the United States Senate was deeply humbling and a testament to the strength of our movement,” Pressley said.
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She also emphasized that the timing was not right for a
statewide bid
. With her daughter entering her final year at home before college, Pressley emphasized that she wanted to be present for key family moments, which would be complicated by a Senate bid.
“It would be an honor to serve the whole Commonwealth, but with our daughter in her last year at home before college and a district that has been in the crosshairs of this White House, I am certain that the Massachusetts 7th is where I belong in this moment,” Pressley added.
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Pressley also told
The Boston Globe
she was not closing the door on a future Senate run.
“I’m not closing the door to a Senate run down the line,” she told the outlet.
Her decision not to enter the race this cycle avoids a potentially awkward matchup between the two progressives. Markey has long been aligned with the party’s left flank.
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The race already features Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who has sought to draw a generational contrast with the
79-year-old senator
.
A Suffolk University–Boston Globe poll released before Thanksgiving also showed Markey leading Moulton 45% to 22% among likely Democratic primary voters.
But when Pressley was included in a
hypothetical matchup
, she narrowly edged Markey 35% to 34%, with Moulton falling to 16%.
In her announcement Tuesday, Pressley highlighted accomplishments from
her tenure in Congress,
ranging from expanding mental health support to securing tens of millions in federal funds for her district.
She also vowed to continue fighting for a more just and equitable Massachusetts. Pressley did not announce any endorsement in the Senate race.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
