A Change.org campaign urging U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley to seek the House speakership had drawn more than 136,566 signatures Sunday, as the Massachusetts Democrat prepared to discuss the incoming majority’s agenda at an East Boston town hall.
The petition page showed more than 136,566 signatures as of 1:20 p.m. EST. Its organizers cite Pressley’s work on housing, health care, criminal justice and climate policy, as well as her place in Massachusetts history as the first woman of color to represent the state in Congress.
Pressley announced a town hall with Massachusetts state Sen. Lydia Edwards for 6:30 p.m. EST Monday in East Boston. Her announcement said they would discuss legislative priorities for the incoming Democratic majority.
Anadolu reported that Pressley had not publicly said whether she would challenge House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The outlet described Jeffries as the only declared candidate for speaker. Anadolu also reported that a Jeffries victory would make him the first Black person to hold the speakership; Pressley could reach that milestone if she entered the race and won.
A separate Change.org petition calling on lawmakers to reject Jeffries had collected 666,025 signatures as of Nov. 6, Anadolu reported, according to EconoTimes’ earlier coverage of the opposing petition campaign.
