Pressley for Boston City Council?

By Jeremy P. Jacobs, PolitickerMA.com Reporter

Speculation has been swirling for the past couple of days that Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Sen. John Kerry's political director, is considering a run for an at-large seat on the Boston City Council.

But Pressley isn't committing to anything yet.

"I haven't thought about it," Pressley told PolitickerMA.com Tuesday morning. "I am really humbled and honored that my name has been mentioned in any conversation."

Pressley wouldn't completely shut the door on the possibility, though, and said that several in the community have called to encourage her to run.

"It is a serious job," she said. "It's a serious decision and I don't think it is something to be considered lightly."

That possibility is exciting women's groups and African American political leaders. Joyce Ferriabough, a veteran black political operative and the wife of former City Councilor Bruce Bolling, told PolitickerMA.com that should Pressley enter the race she would immediately be "a top contender."

"With her experience at the highest rungs of government and with the kinds of relationships that she has made throughout the city and state, she would not only be a formidable candidate in terms of the widespread support she would garner, but she would be the kind of candidate who would cut across racial and ethnic lines in bringing people together around her candidacy," Ferriabough said.

"I am ecstatic about even the possibility that someone of Ayanna's experience might be thinking about it," she added.

Pressley, who has worked for Kerry for 11 years, would be joining a large field should she decide to run. Felix Arroyo Jr., Doug Bennett, Jean-Claude Sanon, Bob Terrell and Marty Hogan have all said they are running. Former aide to Councilor Michael Flaherty Andrew Kenneally is also considering it, as is Tomas Gonzalez, a former aide to Mayor Tom Menino. If Flaherty challenges Menino, as many expect he will, that would open up one of the four at-large seats on the Council. If Councilor Sam Yoon also jumps in the mayoral race, that would free up another.

Ferriabough also noted that Pressley's candidacy would be significant for the black community following the arrests of former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson, who was the only black member of the state Senate, and Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner, a black member of that chamber.

Pressley said that it is early yet and that most of what is out there is "just speculation and rumor."

"Being in the public eye, doing the work I do," she said, "it is not surprising that people would presume that I would be thinking about it."

Pressley said, however, that she doesn't have any hidden agenda and reiterated that she is "just humbled and honored that my name is mentioned at all."

Jeremy P. Jacobs is a PolitickerMA.com Reporter and can be reached via email at noreply@politicker.com.

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