Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” is considering a campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., according to a Politico report citing four people familiar with the discussions.
Pressley, 51, has reportedly been reaching out to allies to gauge support for a possible Senate bid, which would shake up what could be a competitive Democratic primary in Massachusetts.
Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., has already announced his candidacy, directly challenging the 79-year-old Markey. Moulton, 47, said he is running because he believes Markey should not serve another six-year term.
Poll Shows Tight Three-Way Race
A new University of Massachusetts Amherst poll released Monday shows a three-way race forming among the potential contenders. According to the survey, Markey leads with 35%, followed by Moulton at 25%, and Pressley at 21%.
The poll, conducted among 416 likely Democratic voters in late October, carries a 6.1% margin of error.
Pressley’s Position and Political History
In a statement, a spokesperson for Pressley said her current focus remains on ending the government shutdown and serving her constituents, declining to confirm whether she plans to enter the Senate race.
Pressley is no stranger to challenging entrenched incumbents. In 2018, she unseated longtime Rep. Mike Capuano in a Democratic primary, a victory that helped propel her into national prominence as part of a new generation of progressive lawmakers.
Financially, however, she faces a steep climb. According to campaign finance filings, Markey currently has $2.7 million in cash on hand, Moulton has $2.1 million, and Pressley has $148,000.
Markey’s Tenure and Political Legacy
Markey, a fixture of Massachusetts politics, was first elected to Congress in 1976 and to the Senate in 2013. He is perhaps best known for his environmental advocacy, including co-authoring the Green New Deal with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In 2020, Markey fended off a high-profile primary challenge from then-Rep. Joe Kennedy III, marking the first time a member of the Kennedy family lost a race in Massachusetts.
Looking Ahead
If Pressley enters the race, she could bring star power and grassroots energy to an already competitive primary field. Her potential candidacy could also test the strength of the progressive movement in Massachusetts, pitting three well-known Democrats — each with distinct political brands — against one another for a rare open contest in one of the bluest states in the country.
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