The nationwide call for political change continues in Boston as Ayanna Pressley triumphed over 10-year Representative Michael Capuano, winning the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives. Her victory aligns with that of fellow young and diverse political underdogs across the nation ready to make history this election season.
The city councilwoman ran on the slogan "change can't wait," a truth that has proved to be evident throughout the Trump era. However, despite the political unrest that 45 has caused in the U.S., many politicians advised Pressley it was in her best interest not to run against Capuano, who had not faced a primary challenger since he was first elected in 1998. Despite the 66-year-old’s endorsement by almost every major political figure, Pressley decided to follow her path.
After all, well-behaved women rarely make history, which Pressley first achieved in 2009 as the first black woman elected to the Boston City Council. Now, she is poised to make history as the first black woman with a seat representing Massachusetts in Congress.
Pressley beat Capuano by a 59-41 margin, although he conceded with barely 13 percent of the votes counted.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but this is life, and this is OK," Capuano said of Pressley's victory. "America’s going to be OK. Ayanna Pressley is going to be a good congresswoman, and I will tell you that Massachusetts will be well served.”
The moment when @AyannaPressley learned she won. No commentary needed. ???? #ChangeCantWait
#mapoli
#ma7
#electwomen
#electionday
pic.twitter.com/SLLlQTI1Sj— Jesse Mermell (@jessemermell) September 5, 2018
“People who feel seen and heard for the first time in their lives, a stakehold in democracy and a promise for our future,” Pressley said following her win. “That is the real victory, that is bigger than any electoral victory. And I want to thank you all for being foot soldiers in this movement and for ushering in this change.”
The 44-year-old Chicago native also wasted no time solidifying her stance against Donald Trump.
"Our president is a racist, misogynistic, truly empathy-bankrupt man," she continued. "It is time to show Washington, D.C., both my fellow Democrats, who I hope will stand with us and Republicans who may stand in our way…change is coming and the future belongs to all of us."
Pressley joins the ranks of fellow women and minorities who are killing the primaries this year including Andrew Gillum of Florida.
“This is a big wake-up call to any incumbent on the ballot in November,” Boston-based Democratic strategist Mary Anne Marsh said. “We’ve been in a change election cycle for years. But Trump may have opened the door for all these young candidates, women, people of color, because voters want the antithesis of him.”
Although there is no Republican on the November ballot in Pressley's Boston-based district, these victories in the primaries are a reminder of how necessary our votes are.
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