Ayanna Pressley Beats Incumbent Capuano In Historic Boston Race

BOSTON, MA — Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley won the Democratic primary for the state's 7th Congressional District, effectively making her the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts. In a surprise move, incumbent Rep. Michael Capuano conceded barely 90 minutes after the polls closed, with the two candidates less than 2,000 votes apart.

"This isn't the result we wanted," 10-term incumbent Capuano told supporters. "Apparently the district is just really upset with a lot of things that are going on. I don't blame them."

His early concession means Pressley effectively wins the seat as there are no Republican challengers for the election in November. In the upset Capuano ended up getting 36,294 votes, or 41.1 percent of the vote while Pressley took 51,194, or 58.9 percent, according to early tallies.

In Boston Pressley got slightly more votes, a total of 63,80 percent, while Capuano got 36.01 percent.

"It seems like change is on the way," she said as a crowd of supporters cheered. "I'm so humble to be standing before you tonight, victorious."

Pressley said the decision to challenge Capuano was not easy.

"Mike Capuano is apologetically himself, she said. He forced me to bring my best," she said. "And I thank him for his 20 years of service."

She also thanked her husband and family and supporters. And then had the crowd repeating with her "Change can't wait."

The 7th Congressional District includes much of Boston and Somerville, Chelsea, Everett, Randolph, half of Cambridge and parts of Milton. Although there has been some redistricting, the seat once was held by JFK.

Both Capuano and Pressley called themselves progressives. And while Capuano highlighted his experience and achievements during the race, Pressley highlighted the urgency for a new face and change.

“We will vote the same way, but I will lead differently,” Pressley said earlier during a WBUR moderated debate.

Although Capuano was backed by some political heavy-hitters, from Rep. Joe Kennedy III to former Gov. Deval Patrick, Pressley had a few hard-hitting endorsements herself, including powerhouse Attorney General Maura Healey and the editorial boards of both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.

Pressley's election comes amid demographic changes in the district, where 57 percent are people of color. According to the latest census, single women head nearly 40 percent of the district's households.

Pressley, 43, became the first woman of color elected to the Boston City Council in 2009. A resident of Dorchester, she previously worked for U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II and U.S. Sen. John Kerry. Pressley positions herself as an activist leader.

"Race is a factor in everything," said Pressley during a recent debate. "Representation does matter. That wasn't the impetus for my run, but you cannot have a government for and by the people if it is not represented by the people."

Elizabeth Warren was the first Massachusetts woman in the Senate in 2012. Two years later, Healey ran for state attorney general against a fellow Democrat and became the nation’s first openly gay state attorney general.

Capuano's concession comes as a surprise and ends nearly two decades in his role. He won endorsements from Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and prominent black leaders like U.S. Reps. John Lewis and Maxine Waters. He also had a 13-point lead in a poll as of early August. Capuano, 66, is the former Somerville mayor and alderman was first elected to Congress in 1998.

"I will tell you in this campaign as in every campaign, we've done everything we can do to get this thing done," he told campaign workers. "I will tell you Ayanna Pressley is going to be a good congresswoman and I will tell you that Massachusetts is going to be well served."

How's the statewide election going? Check out the results here: MA Primary Election Results

And check out this priceless moment:

Read up:

• Rep. Mike Capuano Endorsed By Civil Rights Legend
• Op-Ed: In Support of Rep. Capuano
• Ayanna Pressley To Challenge Rep. Capuano In 2018
• Rep. Capuano Could Face Challenger In 2018: Report
• Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley Wants To Dismantle ICE
• Maura Healey Endorses Ayanna Pressley For Congress Over

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Photo courtesy Pressley campaign.