A generational and progressive shift is happening across the country in Democratic politics. In a very blue Boston district, longtime congressman Michael Capuano has conceded to Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley.
Pressley, likely to easily win in November, will be the first black woman to ever represent Massachusetts in Congress.
The challenge from Pressley, the first black woman to serve on the city council, has drawn some comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who stunningly defeated 10-term New York Rep. Joe Crowley in a Democratic primary in June. Both races highlight rifts within the Democratic party, with many younger voters embracing new and more diverse political leadership.
Capuano is considered one of the most liberal members of the Massachusetts delegation, and Pressley has acknowledged she has few major policy quarrels with the incumbent.
“We will vote the same way, but I will lead differently,” Pressley said in a recent debate.
Pressley wasn’t just running on a progressive message, she was arguing that her own experience as a person of color made her more qualified to represent the district than an older white man — no matter how liberal. People of color make up the majority of the Seventh Congressional District’s residents, but white people make up the majority of the voters there.
Her victory adds to a growing list of victories for candidates of color across the nation. Last week, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum pulled off an upset in Florida’s Democratic nomination for governor. In doing so, he made history; Gillum is Florida’s first African-American gubernatorial nominee.
Pressley’s win adds to an exciting moment for progressive groups, but also for black Democrats. The Democratic nominee for Georgia governor, Stacey Abrams, could make history as the nation’s first African-American woman governor if she wins. Other women of color, including Lauren Underwood in Illinois, Jahana Hayes in Connecticut, Ilhan Omar in Minnesota, and Lucy McBath in Georgia are the nominees for their respective congressional districts.