Pressley says she’s voting for Wu

Ayanna Pressley at City Hall

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley in Boston City Hall earlier this year. (Photo via Mayor's Office)

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley on Friday said she’s backing City Councillor At-Large Michelle Wu in the mayoral race.

Pressley, a Boston Democrat, was elected to the Boston City Council in 2009, becoming the first woman of color to serve on the 13-member body. Wu was the second with her election in 2013.

Pressley stayed out of this year's mayoral preliminary, which featured five major candidates. Pressley's backing in the general election is the latest in a string of major endorsements Wu has garnered in the days after the preliminary, from the SEIU 1199 healthcare workers union and SEIU 32BJ property service workers union to Acting Mayor Kim Janey, a former rival who is the first woman and person of color to serve as the city's chief executive.

In her endorsement, Pressley picked Wu over City Councillor At-Large Annissa Essaibi George, who was the first elected official to endorse Pressley in her successful effort to topple Congressman Michael Capuano in the 2018 Democratic primary.

In 2019, Pressley had endorsed both Wu and Essaibi George, who first joined the City Council in 2016, for reelection to the City Council.

“At this pivotal moment in our city’s history, we need bold leadership - that’s why I’m so proud to endorse Michelle’s candidacy for Mayor,” Pressley said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside her to tackle the entrenched challenges of racial, social, economic, healthcare, and environmental injustice facing our communities.”

Pressley, who is the first woman of color to serve Massachusetts in Congress, attached her name to a fundraising email sent out by Wu's campaign hours after the announcement of the endorsement.

“We’ve legislated together, organized together, and partnered on delivering change—from equity in city contracting and healthcare access, to fighting for transit justice,” Wu said. “I can’t wait to continue partnering for Boston to lead the way in building healthy, equitable, and resilient communities across our neighborhoods.”

The election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 2.


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