Mass. Election 2018: Capuano vs. Pressley

BOSTON — The Massachusetts primaries are just days away and the 7th District race between Congressman Mike Capuano and city councilor Ayanna Pressley is getting local and national attention.

For the first time in about two decades, residents in the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District have a choice in a democratic primary for representative, but a recent Emerson College poll showed 33 percent of voters are still undecided with four days to go.

Capuano is a former mayor of Somerville and represented the 7th District since 1999 and has been called one of the most outspoken and staunchly progressive members of Congress, championing issues like single-payer health care.

"Government is all about fighting in terms of pushing an agenda also knowing when to make a compromise," said Capuano.

Pressley is from Dorchester with Chicago roots and is the first woman of color to serve on the Boston City Council in its 108-year history, advocating for women and girls and communities of disproportionate impact in Boston. Her platform is change in the state's first majority-minority district and has gained national attention after the upset win for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York's 14th Congressional District.

"The 7th is a diverse district and unequal. There is an appetite for change," said Pressley.

Capuano has enjoyed a consistent lead in this race, but a recent poll shows Pressley leads among young voters and nonwhite voters 49 to 31 percent.

Both have received some key endorsements. Capuano has the support of the congressional black caucus and most recently Joe Kennedy III. That's notable because Pressley was a longtime staffer for Joe Kennedy II. She has gained endorsements from leading Democrats like Maura Healey.

Cox Media Group