At the Mystic Brewery last Thursday evening, a campaign event brought together six Chelsea city officials who threw their support behind Boston City Councillor Ayanna Pressley’s bid for a U.S. Congress seat.
The show of support featured individual remarks from City Councillors Damali Vidot, Jamir Rodriguez, and Enio Lopez as well as School Committee members Lucia Henriquez, Kelly Garcia, and Julio Hernandez, each offering praise and formally backing Pressley’s run.
Having established herself as a prominent figure in Chelsea politics since winning a councillor-at-large seat in her initial bid for citywide office, Vidot became an early backer of Pressley’s campaign. “From the moment I found out Ayanna was running, I was on board,” she stated. “The reason I’m supporting her is because I follow politics very closely and I have seen the work she’s done on the Boston City Council advocating for families and for girls. The way she has been able to lead, so authentically and gracefully and not allow anything to interfere with the work she has been able to get accomplished, it’s just magical for me.”
According to Vidot, Chelsea residents share her enthusiasm and have welcomed Pressley’s forward-looking approach. “The people are loving her. They love her message. She’s real. There’s a whole different energy. We have such a diverse group of people that are supporting her.”
The Mystic Brewery gathering was preceded by another campaign reception that took place at Tu Casa Restaurant on Broadway, drawing substantial crowds of supporters. The event’s organizer, Saritin Rizzuto, expressed satisfaction with the impressive attendance levels.
“My friend, your advocate, and our candidate for the Seventh District congressional seat ,” Rizzuto declared while enthusiastically introducing Pressley.
At Tu Casa, Pressley expressed gratitude to the assembled backers.
“As I look out at all of you, I’m overwhelmed – and my heart is so full,” Pressley remarked. “Chelsea from the very beginning – you have been so very good to me.”
Facing incumbent Michael Capuano in the Seventh Congressional District’s Democratic primary scheduled for Sept. 4, Pressley is mounting her challenge through these campaign efforts.