Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., listens during a news conference near the U.S. Capitol Building Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
She also emphasized that the timing was not right for a statewide bid. With her daughter entering her final year at home before college, Pressley emphasized that she wanted to be present for key family moments, which would be complicated by a Senate bid.
"It would be an honor to serve the whole Commonwealth, but with our daughter in her last year at home before college and a district that has been in the crosshairs of this White House, I am certain that the Massachusetts 7th is where I belong in this moment," Pressley added.
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., attends the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The race already features Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who has sought to draw a generational contrast with the 79-year-old senator.
A Suffolk University–Boston Globe poll released before Thanksgiving also showed Markey leading Moulton 45% to 22% among likely Democratic primary voters.
But when Pressley was included in a hypothetical matchup, she narrowly edged Markey 35% to 34%, with Moulton falling to 16%.
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In her announcement Tuesday, Pressley highlighted accomplishments from her tenure in Congress, ranging from expanding mental health support to securing tens of millions in federal funds for her district.
She also vowed to continue fighting for a more just and equitable Massachusetts. Pressley did not announce any endorsement in the Senate race.
Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/squad-member-ayanna-pressley-announces-decision-challenging-ed-markey-primary