Ayanna Pressley’s determination 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 in style 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 turn into the primary Black girl 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 recognition exterior her Boston-area congressional district, together with in additional reasonable voting areas just like the Worcester suburbs, Cape Cod and MetroWest Boston hamlets.
Pressley has a effectively deserved status as probably the most far left member of Congress within the Massachusetts delegation. She is among 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 damage 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 celebration members for voting in assist of a bipartisan deal to reopen the federal authorities.
“It’s a betrayal,” Pressley mentioned of the deal. “It’s deeply disappointing. It’s infuriating.” She additionally known as for Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer to step apart.
Among the many Democrats who voted for the deal have been two New Hampshire senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Maine Sen. Angus King, an impartial 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 decision glorified proper wing extremist rhetoric and lionized somebody who has promoted shameful, bigoted concepts which have led to deep and lasting hurt,” Pressley mentioned.
Politico was first to report Pressley’s critical 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 hand over her protected Home seat to make the Senate bid – a consideration that little doubt will weigh in her determination.
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 – making an attempt to unseat a well-liked 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 possible Democratic voters. The ballot has a big margin of error of 6.1% – which 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 susceptible.
There’s nonetheless a risk Markey might step apart if he feels Pressley and Moulton are too sturdy to threat 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 could be a microcosm of the bigger generational wrestle happening within the Democratic Celebration. Various youthful formidable Democrats are difficult the outdated celebration stalwarts, saying it’s time for them to step apart for brand spanking new management.
Moulton has bluntly mentioned Markey, who can be 80 by the point the election rolls round, is just too outdated to proceed serving in Congress – a main instance of the ageism that’s rampant in America.
