On Tuesday, Ayanna Pressley became the first black woman elected to Congress from Massachusetts.
Pressley defeated 10-term incumbent Michael Capuano in the September Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District of Massachusetts. She did not have a Republican challenger in the midterm elections.
"What I'm offering is a vision," she told supporters Tuesday night. "One where together we can break cycles of poverty, break and rebuild a criminal legal system that actually delivers justice. One where we can break through and affirm the rights of our transgender friends and neighbors. One where we can break through and create an economy where one job is enough."
She continued that her vision is "one where we can break through and create a commonwealth in a country where the next generations dreams aren't sabotaged by crippling student debt, where we can break through and keep our immigrant families safe and together. One where we can break through and address the public health crisis and epidemic that is gun violence and make the investment in the trauma response and recovery efforts to support those communities disproportionately impacted."
Pressley's victory over Capuano — a staunchly liberal Somerville native who has held his seat in Congress for 20 years — came as a surprise to many. When she learned that she had won her primary, Pressley herself was taken aback. In a reaction video that has since gone viral, Pressley's eyes widen, she puts a hand on her necklace and asks "We won?"
Pressley reaction.
Following the midterm election, Pressley said she'd be focused on the issues that impact her constituents.
"While they are certainly exacerbated by the hatred and vitriol coming out of the White House, the challenges facing Massachusetts' 7th district are not new — they have existed for decades," she told CNBC Make It in a statement. "In Congress, I will be focused on lifting up the voices of those in community, partnering with activists and residents, and ensuring that those closest to the pain are closest to the power, driving and informing the policy-making."
When the 116th Congress convenes on January 3, 2019, Pressley plans to begin to work on an agenda that encompasses a wide range of policy issues, from transportation to immigration.
"There is no single piece of legislation that will solve every challenge — that is why I introduced a comprehensive Equity Agenda, and have continued to hold community conversations related to pressing issues like criminal justice reform, gun control and public health," she told CNBC Make It. "I will also be focused on being an intentional, committed advocate for the people of the 7th District, using my position to draw attention to critical issues impacting our communities."
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