Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY

A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 9 July 2018

After New York’s electoral upset, eyes turn to Massachusetts

By STEVE LeBLANC of neighboring Chelsea,
Associated Press Everett, Randolph, Somer-
BOSTON (AP) — Ayanna ville and Milton. It includes
Pressley knew it was going both Cambridge’s Kend-
to be tough mounting a all Square — experiencing
primary challenge to an in- a white hot development
cumbent Democratic con- boom — and the neigh-
gressman in Massachusetts, borhood of Roxbury, the
a state that often rewards center of Boston’s tradition-
politicians with near-life- ally black community. If
time jobs. Then someone elected, Pressley, who has
Pressley counts as a friend served on the city council
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cor- since 2010, would be the
tez — stunned the New only black member of the
York Democratic estab- state’s congressional dele-
lishment, and the nation, gation. Clarrissa Croppers,
with her primary victory last co-owner the Frugal Book-
month over 10-term U.S. store in Roxbury, said gen-
Rep. Joe Crowley. Sudden- trification, particularly the
ly, the 44-year-old black price of housing, is one of
Boston city councilor’s ef- her top issues.
forts to unseat U.S. Rep. Mi- “I understand that they
chael Capuano — another want to clean up the area,
longtime white, male, mid- This pair of file photos shows U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass., left, on Feb. 1, 2018, in but I don’t want them
dle-aged politician — in Cambridge, Mass., and Boston city councilor Ayanna Pressley, right, on June 30, 2018 in Boston. to clean out the people
the state’s Sept. 4 primary Associated Press who’ve been here for so
seems less far-fetched. viduals.” One challenge years at City Hall to address Watanabe said. long,” the 37-year-old said.
“Alex and her race is an in- for Democratic voters in issues like schools, transpor- “The lesson of the 2016 “I’m going to vote for
spiring one because it chal- the state’s 7th Congres- tation and public safety. election at the highest level (Pressley); she’s been a
lenges conventional wis- sional District may be find- “This is Massachusetts. Every is all things are possible.” supporter of my business
dom and narratives about ing policy differences be- Democrat is going to vote Capuano has a fundrais- before she ran,” Croppers
who has a right to run and tween the two. Capuano the same way,” Pressley ing edge. His campaign added. “I’ve not ever seen
when, and who can win,” is among the most liberal said. “The hate that is com- said he collected $680,000 Mike come in here. You will
Pressley said in an interview House members, not leav- ing out of this White House in the past three months, see him closer to election
with The Associated Press. ing much room on the left will not be defeated by a bringing his cash total to time. They want to come
“We have to be disruptive for Pressley. It’s a point reliable vote on the floor of $1.4 million. Pressley raised out, shake hands and do
in our democracy and our Capuano, first elected to Congress. The hate coming $370,000 during the same photos, but where were
policy-making and how we the House in 1998, has tried out of this White House will period, her campaign said. you months and years be-
run and win elections.” to hammer home, point- be defeated by a move- One issue where there fore?” Pressley’s campaign
The Massachusetts contest ing to his high ratings with ment and a coalition.” might be a sliver of daylight is also a challenge to an
is yet another reminder of progressive groups such as Paul Watanabe, professor between the two is on the unwritten “wait your turn”
the rifts tearing at the Dem- the American Civil Liberties of political science at the future of the federal gov- rule in the Massachusetts
ocratic Party, with more lib- Union, the NAACP, Planned University of Massachusetts- ernment’s chief immigra- Democratic Party, where
eral, often younger voters Parenthood and the AFL- Boston, says the nation’s tion enforcement agency incumbents can hang onto
calling for a newer, more CIO. “My record is pretty unsettled political times Immigration and Customs seats for decades with few
diverse leadership. clear. I’m one of the most mean few free rides any- Enforcement, known as if any serious competitors.
Capuano, 66, said he un- progressive members of more for incumbents facing ICE. Pressley has called for The last successful Demo-
derstands the urge among Congress and have been challenges from within their defunding the agency. cratic primary challenge
some for new faces. since I got here,” Capuano parties — a reality he said Capuano said he voted in Massachusetts came in
“If that’s what people said. “I think I’ve effectively Capuano understands. against the creation of ICE, 2014, when Seth Moulton
want. That’s fine. That’s represented every constitu- “Mike Capuano did not but thinks changing poli- defeated incumbent Dem-
not new: ‘Throw the bums ent group in this district.” need a wake-up call like cies is more important. ocratic U.S. Rep. John Tier-
out’ is in pretty much every Pressley said the argument this to take this race seri- The district — redrawn in ney in the state’s 6th Con-
campaign ever,’” he told that she and Capuano will ously. I think he’s taking it 2011 to become Massa- gressional District.
the AP. “As a generic state- vote the same way misses as a serious challenge and chusetts’ first “minority-ma- Pressley is aware she’s
ment, that’s one thing. It’s a bigger point about lead- Ayanna Pressley is deter- jority” district — includes bucking a tide.
a different thing when you ership and building coali- mined to try to do in Mas- a wide swath of Boston “My mother did not raise
take that generic state- tions — a philosophy she sachusetts what was ac- and about half of Cam- me to ask for permission to
ment and apply it to indi- said she’s used during her complished in New York,” bridge as well as portions lead,” she said.q