Fresh Off Victories In Primaries, Massachusetts Democrats Call For Unity
Democrats applaud Ayanna Pressley at a Massachusetts Democratic Party Unity event in Dorchester. Photo by Robin Lubbock for WBUR
It’s barely been two days since Ayanna Pressley won a a stunning upset in the 7th Congressional District primary, ousting longtime incumbent Michael Capuano.
With Pressley’s decisive victory, Capuano became the latest casualty in a series of political upsets that are reshaping the Democratic Party.
In Dorchester Wednesday, Pressley gathered with fellow state Democrats, including those who had supported her opponent. She was still in campaign mode — and described her victory as one step in a growing movement.
“The hate coming out of this White House will never be defeated by one vote. It can only be defeated by a movement, and this is our opportunity to build it,” she said.
Pressley ran as an outsider, but talked about joining with the state’s other top Democrats, including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who backed Capuano. Pressley called Boston “a tribal parochial place,” where many said she had no business running. But summoning a voice made hoarse from a long, grueling campaign, she called for Democratic unity.