Ayanna Pressley’s choice on a U.S. Senate bid subsequent 12 months might reply the query: Is the 51-year-old far left congresswoman too excessive even for deep blue Massachusetts?
Or is there a pathway for Pressley to defeat widespread 79-year-old Democratic incumbent Ed Markey and her fellow Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton in a statewide race?
Pressley, who ousted Democratic incumbent Michael Capuano in a 2018 main showdown, might try and grow to be the primary Black lady ever elected to the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts – an historic feat that might gas her marketing campaign.
However a Senate bid would additionally take a look at her reputation outdoors her Boston-area congressional district, together with in additional average voting areas just like the Worcester suburbs, Cape Cod and MetroWest Boston hamlets.
Pressley has a effectively deserved popularity as essentially the most far left member of Congress within the Massachusetts delegation. She is likely one of the youthful weapons in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Squad” of Home members.
That may assist her with progressive voters in Boston to the Berkshires however harm her amongst independents, who make up an enormous chunk of the Democratic main voters.
Pressley led the cost of liberal Democrats who slammed her fellow get together members for voting in help of a bipartisan deal to reopen the federal authorities.
“It’s a betrayal,” Pressley stated of the deal. “It’s deeply disappointing. It’s infuriating.” She additionally referred to as for Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer to step apart.
Among the many Democrats who voted for the deal had been two New Hampshire senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Maine Sen. Angus King, an unbiased who votes with Democrats.
Pressley additionally was amongst simply two members of the all-Democratic Massachusetts delegation who voted in opposition to a measure to honor the lifetime of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“This resolution glorified right wing extremist rhetoric and lionized someone who has promoted shameful, bigoted ideas that have led to deep and lasting harm,” Pressley stated.
Politico was first to report Pressley’s severe curiosity in difficult Markey, quoting 4 nameless individuals who spoke to her.
However there was no report confirming whether or not she has decided.
Pressley must quit her secure Home seat to make the Senate bid – a consideration that little question will weigh in her choice.
Is she prepared to forfeit her promising political profession for a statewide race she might not win?
A UMass Amherst ballot of Democratic voters confirmed the challenges Pressley faces – attempting to unseat a preferred Democratic incumbent who 5 years in the past was the primary to defeat a Kennedy in Massachusetts.
Pressley got here in third within the UMass ballot with 21%, behind Moulton with 25% and Markey with 35% amongst a pattern of 416 probably Democratic voters. The ballot has a big margin of error of 6.1% – that means Moulton and Pressley are basically tied for second place.
However these numbers are literally pretty encouraging for Pressley contemplating she has not but introduced a Senate bid and Moulton already has.
Markey getting nearly one third of the vote a 12 months earlier than the election exhibits he’s weak.
There may be nonetheless a chance Markey might step apart if he feels Pressley and Moulton are too robust to danger getting the boot from voters as a capstone to his lengthy political profession.
There’s additionally an opportunity Moulton might drop out if Pressley will get in, giving her basically a one-on-one shot at Markey.
If Pressley does get in, it might be a microcosm of the bigger generational battle occurring within the Democratic Celebration. Quite a few youthful bold Democrats are difficult the previous get together stalwarts, saying it’s time for them to step apart for brand new management.
Moulton has bluntly stated Markey, who might be 80 by the point the election rolls round, is just too previous to proceed serving in Congress – a major instance of the ageism that’s rampant in America.
