Maura Healey Endorses Ayanna Pressley For Congress Over Capuano

BOSTON, MA — Maura Healey, Massachusetts’ Attorney General, announced Monday she is backing Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley in the Congressional primary against incumbent Rep. Michael Capuano.

“Ayanna isn’t just my City Councilor. She’s not just my partner in government. She’s someone who shares our values, and our priorities, who I’ve depended on for years,” Healey wrote in a statement.

“Ayanna stood by me and supported me in my first campaign, at a time very few elected leaders were willing to take a chance on an outsider candidate like me," she wrote noting the endorsement was personal.

The endorsement comes two months before the primary on Sept. 4, and just after Pressley got an endorsement from Roots drummer Questlove, over the weekend.

Pressley is up against Capuano, a Democrat has served in his seat since 1998, and who is the favorite to win the state, according to recent polling. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Former Gov. Deval Patrick, and the Congressional Black Caucus all have thrown their support behind the incumbent.

Pundits, however, say this endorsement gets the eye of many people and may really help Pressley out.

The primary is set for Sept. 4.

Pressley called Healey a trailblazer, and praised her leadership as Attorney General in a statement after Healey's announcement:

"Throughout this campaign, I have been working to spread our message about the importance of activist leadership in Washington that will work in partnership to address the serious challenges faced by communities across the 7th District, which has become one of the most diverse, but also one of the most unequal districts anywhere in the country. I am humbled by Maura’s support, and I look forward to working with her and others to lift up the voices of those too often overlooked and ensure that those closest to the pain are closest to the power - driving and informing the policymaking.”

Pundits say this is a boon for Pressley's campaign. And residents seem to take notice, too.

Photo courtesy Maura Healey Committee