18 women candidates to watch for the 2018 midterms

4. Ayanna Pressley (D)

State: Massachusetts
Race: 7th District
Platform highlights: Ayanna Pressley champions many issues dear to other Democrats’ campaigns, including improved public education, better healthcare access, and stronger support for women’s rights. What makes Pressley stand out is her stance on racial and economic equality — “equity agenda” is the first thing you read about on the “Issues” page of her campaign website.

Why you should watch out for her: Ayanna Pressley’s rise is exciting, in large part because her ground-up campaign surprised 10-term Representative Mike Capuano, a fellow Democrat. With Pressley’s win in the primaries, she is all but certain to secure the seat: Pressley is running unopposed in her particular election. Her victory points towards larger, more liberal trends within the Democratic party.

Still, just because she’s running unopposed doesn’t mean that you should follow her political career (or vote for her, assuming you live in Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District). Again, like many other women included on this list, Pressley’s campaign and all-but-assured election will be historic. If she secures her role as Representative, Pressley will become one of the first African-American women elected to the House from not just Massachusetts, but any state in New England.

For many in her district and nationwide, Pressley’s campaign is a powerful one. “I fundamentally believe that the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power,” she said. Her district is indeed urban — containing about half of the city of Boston — and a large portion of its voters are nonwhite and young.

Campaign website: www.ayannapressley.com