Congress

Mike Capuano, Ayanna Pressley Make Final Push in 7th District

In the 7th Congressional District, incumbent Mike Capuano is fighting to keep the seat from Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley

Massachusetts congressional candidates made a final push to reach voters before Tuesday's Primary election.

In the 7th Congressional District, incumbent Mike Capuano is fighting to keep the seat from Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley.

Both candidates attended the Greater Boston Labor Council Annual Labor Day Breakfast at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel on Monday.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh cast the 7th district primary battle as a race already won in his speech at the breakfast.

"Mike Capuano will head the subcommittees on transportation and finance," he said.

But that didn't keep challenger Pressley from attending the event.

"There are a lot of people that are uncomfortable and don't like that I am in this race. They find it disruptive and some of them think it traitorous," Pressley said.

Pressley has garnered support from Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. If Pressley wins, she will become the first black woman from Massachusetts elected to Congress.

She sees herself as the voice of those in the majority-minority neighborhoods, who she feels, are not being heard. Her fan base comes largely from outside the party establishment.

"The needs of the district have changed and given what is happening in Washington, so has the job description," she said.

Capuano has spent nearly 20 years on Capitol Hill and says that experience proves he knows how to get the job done. Capuano delivered the keynote remarks at the Labor Day Breakfast. He then met with voters in Everett.

"All of the people that have told us they're going to vote, now we've got to get them out," Capuano said.

He stressed his seniority in the House and experience battling the Trump administration. He's confident the party will come together in the general elections.

"Democrats understand that we have a common enemy with people who don't share any of our values," he said.

Pressley attended an afternoon community barbecue in Chelsea. She then made a stop at the Charlestown Navy Yard and then met voters in Jamaica Plain.

There are 10 Democratic candidates vying to replace retiring Rep. Nikki Tsonga in the 3rd Congressional District.

The most recent polling last month showed Capuano up by 13 points.

The winner will face the lone republican Rick Green, a businessman from Pepperell.

Contact Us