Ayanna Pressley's Surprise Upset Shows Women Of Color's Power In Democratic Politics

[oberliner]

In a surprise defeat that reflects a changing Democratic Party, Boston City Council member Ayanna Pressley has defeated 10-term Democratic Rep. Mike Capuano in Massachusetts' 7th Congressional District.

Pressley is poised to become the first African-American woman to represent Massachusetts in the state's congressional history.

"It's not enough for Democrats to be back in power," she said at her election night celebration. "It matters who those Democrats are."

Pressley's victory is indicative of the the broader success of female Democrats this election cycle. She joins a number of other black women who've won their primaries this year, including Stacey Abrams, who's running for governor in Georgia, Lauren Underwood, running for a congressional seat in Illinois, and Jahana Hayes, who's also running for a seat in Congress from Connecticut.

https://www.npr.org/2018/09/04/644700516/ayanna-pressleys-surprise-upset-shows-women-of-color-s-power-in-democratic-polit

[dem4decades]

1. He was and is a good Democrat.

I hope we don't eat our own. That said, good luck to her.

[oberliner]

2. She beat him by 18 points

So clearly the people of that district have spoken.

[dem4decades]

3. That's true but it doesn't mean he wasn't a good Democrat.

[HipChick]

4. What does that have to with her winning?

The people have spoken

[oberliner]

5. Right - but I wouldn't call this "eating our own"

She won - he conceded and said she would be great.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Liberal Islands

outside the vast wasteland of middle America rednecks

[oberliner]

9. The whole state of Mass. is pretty liberal

(For the most part)

[Raven123]

7. Just curious

I didnt follow this race. What were the factors leading to this election result?

[oberliner]

8. Here is a good article about it

https://www.vox.com/2018/9/4/17820720/ayanna-pressley-massachusetts-seventh-congressional-district-primary-michael-capuano