For supporters, win inspires others to ‘believe in themselves’

The black community, women and associates of Ayanna Pressley all expressed optimism after Pressley’s stunning upset Tuesday of 10-term U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano opened the door for the first black female to join the U.S. House from Massachusetts.

“Having a black woman in the delegation for the very first time means that the issues that will be amplified, the legislation that will be sponsored, the voices that will be heard are going to be different and I believe that’s a good thing for Massachusetts and it’s a great thing for the Massachusetts 7th,” said Tanisha Sullivan, the president of the Boston chapter of the NAACP. “It’s going to push us to really live our values and hopefully it will bring us closer together.”

Julia Mejia, a single mother who lives in Mattapan, called Pressley’s victory “reaffirming.” Founder of the volunteer group Determined Divas, Mejia said the race inspired her to run for office to become Boston’s first female Latina on the City Council.

“This is what she’s done, she has inspired people to believe in themselves,” Mejia said. “That’s what the movement is all about, that’s what is going to change. The audacity for us to think we could do that and win, that is stepping into your power. That’s what I’m excited about.”

Pressley will run unopposed in November, giving her a virtual lock on the seat.

Pressley’s campaign mirrored that of New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who posted a similar win over a Democratic incumbent U.S. representative two months ago.

“During my primary against another entrenched incumbent, I was honored when Ayanna sent volunteers to help us get out the vote, and now I am ecstatic at the chance to go to Washington with another progressive woman of color,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Together, our growing progressive caucus of Justice Democrats will fight for things like Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, and kicking corporate and lobbyist money out of politics.”