Around New England

Massachusetts Congressional Candidate Says Being A Muslim Woman Immigrant Makes Her The Best Choice

June 20, 2020

A democratic socialist running to represent Massachusetts’s Fourth Congressional District recently said that her identity makes her the best choice in the race.

Ihssane Leckey of Brookline is one of nine Democrats hoping to replace U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III (D-Newton) in the Fourth District’s primary September 1, according to Ballotpedia.

During an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit to promote Leckey’s campaign on Tuesday, June 16, one user asked Leckey what makes her a better choice than fellow left-winger Jesse Mermell, a white woman from Brookline.

Leckey offered her thoughts.

“Representation matters,” Leckey wrote. “I’m the only woman of color, only Muslim, and only immigrant in this race. I’m a millennial mother, and a survivor. Seventy-eight percent of Congress is white and over 75 percent is male. Whether intentional or not, this lack of diversity and perspective impacts every decision and every piece of legislation that is passed by those representing us.”

“Many of my opponents have a track record of being mediators between progressives and corporations,” she added. “That’s the role of corporate lobbyists and Republicans, not Democrats. We have to be the party that stands up for all people at all times, but especially those who have been the most harmed by underinvestment in public education, climate change, housing, health care injustice and a racist criminal justice system.”