Pressley calls upset House win ‘surreal,’ gets in Trump dig
BOSTON — The black Boston city councilor whose upset primary win over a 10term congressman stunned Massachusetts’ political establishment called her victory “surreal” Wednesday and said the wave of inclusiveness sweeping the nation is the best way to counter President Donald Trump.
Ayanna Pressley told cheering supporters she’s thrilled and humbled by her victory over longtime U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, a fellow liberal Democrat. Pressley will run unopposed in November, giving her a virtual lock on the seat — the first in Congress that will be held by a black woman from Massachusetts.
After appearing at a Democratic unity event Wednesday morning, Pressley’s campaign cancelled her events for the rest of the day, saying she was suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. Pressley joked at the event that she was experiencing withdrawal after six months on the campaign trail “double-fisting Red Bull and cold brew.”
Pressley, 44, said her victory was “a surreal, full circle moment.” She said she ran to represent those traditionally without a voice in politics who deserve to live in communities that are safe and have good schools.
“When I have said that the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power, driving and informing the policy-making, that was never about me, that was about the residents of the Massachusetts 7th Congressional district,” she said Wednesday during the party unity event.
She also got in a dig at Trump, saying the only way to combat “the hate coming out of this White House” is with an inclusive movement.
“This is our opportunity to build it,” she said. “We are at a crossroads. This can be our darkest hour or it can be our finest. And I am betting on it being our finest.”
Pressley cruised to victory Tuesday in a district once served by Tip O’Neill and John F. Kennedy. Minorities now constitute a majority of the district’s population.
Pressley’s defeat of a 10-term incumbent underscores the shift underway in a Democratic Party whose base is seeking younger, more diverse candidates.