Portrait of Elizabeth Warren
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Elizabeth Warren on Ayanna Pressley

Strong political ally (strong)

Elizabeth Warren and Ayanna Pressley have demonstrated a strong political alliance, characterized by mutual support in their respective political careers. Pressley offered a significant endorsement to Warren during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, setting her apart from other members of "The Squad" who backed Bernie Sanders.

This endorsement was framed by Pressley as a commitment to Warren’s vision of structural change, emphasizing that power belongs with the people. Warren, in turn, appeared to value Pressley's support highly, campaigning together and highlighting her as a vital voice in the movement for progressive change.

Their collaboration has extended to joint advocacy efforts on specific policy issues, such as protesting against perceived threats to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This continued partnership underscores a shared legislative and advocacy focus in the Senate and House.

Context

The relationship between Elizabeth Warren and Ayanna Pressley is significant in the context of the Democratic Party, particularly concerning outreach to black women voters. Pressley’s endorsement in the 2020 primary was viewed as a key development for Warren, who was competing for support within this loyal Democratic voting bloc against candidates like Joe Biden.

Pressley, a member of "The Squad," is known for advocating liberal policies and has a national profile that elevated the significance of her support for Warren. Furthermore, Pressley had a prior history of supporting Warren, having endorsed her successful 2012 U.S. Senate campaign.

Actions Taken

  1. Political Endorsement
    Congresswoman Pressley endorsed Senator Warren for President ahead of the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, breaking with other 'Squad' members.
  2. Campaign Role
    Pressley was named one of Senator Warren's three national co-chairs for the 2020 presidential campaign, acting as a prominent surrogate.
  3. Joint Advocacy
    Warren and Pressley joined Maxine Waters at a rally to protest the Trump Administration's actions regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Key Quotes

“Fighters I want to talk about tonight are black women,”

Rally in Atlanta November 22, 2019 — Warren stated this while campaigning alongside Pressley in Atlanta.

“I have seen Elizabeth in small church basements and packed gymnasiums, and she is consistent,”

Endorsement Video November 6, 2019 — Pressley said this while announcing her endorsement of Warren for President.

“The plans are about power: Who has it, who refuses to let it go and who deserves more of it. “For Elizabeth and for me, power belongs in the hands of the people,”

Washington Post coverage of endorsement November 10, 2019 — Pressley detailed the alignment between her mission and Warren's policy focus.

Related Positions

  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Warren and Pressley have actively collaborated, for example, by co-hosting a rally to protest actions threatening the CFPB, an agency Warren was instrumental in creating.
  • 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary Pressley's endorsement was a high-profile alignment with Warren during the competitive primary race.

Comparison

  • Ayanna Pressley endorsed Elizabeth Warren for President.
  • The other three members of the initial "Squad"—Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib—endorsed Bernie Sanders for President.