In mayorâs race, Pressleyâs endorsement packs the most power
But will the congresswoman choose a favorite?
By Stephanie Ebbert Globe Staff,Updated January 16, 2021, 3:18 p.m.
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Representative Ayanna Pressley spoke at the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28 in Washington.Pool/Getty
As the two city councilors running for mayor of Boston announce endorsements to show their strength and try to stave off further challengers,
one politicianâs endorsement stands out as a singular, elusive prize: US Representative Ayanna Pressleyâs.
The Seventh District congresswoman
was a Boston city councilor until a little over two years ago, when she upset 10-term incumbent congressman Michael Capuano to become one of the most recognizable faces in the 116th Congress and a unifying leader in Bostonâs Black community.
By Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
January 13, 2021
Katie Trojano, Reporter Staff
Mayor Walsh’s likely departure for Washington, D.C., could pull several new candidates into a race to succeed him this summer or fall, depending on the timing of his expected resignation, which would follow his confirmation by the US Senate. Two city councillors, Michelle Wu and Andrea Campbell, who were already waging spirited and well-funded campaigns to compete against Walsh will likely be joined by at least two council colleagues and other hopefuls from within city and state government.
When he steps down, Walsh’s vacant seat will be filled immediately by City Council President Kim Janey on an interim basis. She would be the first Black person and the first woman to serve as the city’s chief executive. Janey has not yet said whether or not she will seek a full, four-year term, but preparations have already begun for her transition into the mayor’s office.
With the shakeup, the only two declared candidates to date, City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu and District 4 City Councilor Andrea Campbell, have sought in recent days to capitalize on their early forays into the election. Both have rolled out key endorsements, boasting both their broad networks and community roots to set the stage early in what will likely be a turbulent race. Advertisement
On Saturday, Wu’s campaign unveiled its support from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the councilor’s former Harvard Law School professor. The high-profile endorsement was followed on Monday with another from the Sunrise Movement Boston, the local chapter of the national grassroots climate justice organization, and on Tuesday with support from OPEIU Local 453 and the Alliance of Unions at the MBTA.