Politics

Pressley to kick off reelection campaign in Dorchester

Pressley formally announced her reelection campaign for a third term Wednesday, in what is shaping up to be another uncontested race.

US congresswoman Ayanna Pressley in 2023. Nathan Klima for The Boston Globe

April 3, 2024

Representative Ayanna Pressley took the national stage after a historic upset that saw her oust a 10-term Democrat in 2018. She’s kept the national stage since — as the first Black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts, a progressive member of the “Squad,” and as a frequent partner with Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Pressley formally announced her reelection campaign for a third term Wednesday, in what is already shaping up to be another uncontested race for the progressive.

The 50-year-old congresswoman beat the odds in 2018 when she toppled incumbent, Somerville native Michael Capuano in the Democratic primary. Pressley then ran unopposed in the primaries and general elections in 2020 and 2022.

Pressley announced her campaign in the House of Representatives Wednesday, and in a “love letter” to her district, which includes most of Boston, some of Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Randolph, Somerville, and some of Milton.

The congresswoman, who was the first woman of color ever elected to the Boston City Council in 2009, will be hosting a kick-off for the campaign Thursday at the IBEW Local 103 labor hall in Dorchester, featuring union leaders and supporters.

Dear Massachusetts 7th,

It is an honor to be your Congresswoman.

Let's run it back.

Love,
Ayanna pic.twitter.com/Z6av7xjdC4
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) April 3, 2024

“Our movement is strong, and our work continues. Change can’t wait, and neither will we,” Pressley, donning a leather jacket, said in the announcement posted to YouTube.

Pressley has rallied national attention through her advocacy for student debt cancellation, abortion rights, and, most recently, calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Pressley called for a ceasefire in October along with other representatives and members of the “Squad.”

“The murder of Israeli civilians by Hamas is horrific & unacceptable. And the murder of Palestinian civilians is a horrific & unacceptable response from Israel,” Pressley shared on X in October. “Vengeance should not be a foreign policy doctrine. Our humanity is at stake.”

Pressley, an alumna of Boston University, joined fellow alum and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as well as Representative Ilhan Omar and Representative Rashida Tlaib as freshman congresswomen in 2019. The “Squad” became known for representing progressive policies like the Green New Deal and universal healthcare.