Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a key figure in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, is reportedly mulling over a Senate bid that could set the stage for a riveting primary battle in Massachusetts. Inside sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reveal that Pressley has been touching base with political allies to gauge support for her potential candidacy against current Senator Ed Markey.

The 51-year-old congresswoman, known for her affiliation with the influential "Squad," could find herself in a crowded field. Rep. Seth Moulton has already thrown his hat into the ring, positioning his campaign as a fresh alternative to the 79-year-old Markey, and emphasizing the need for generational change within the party.

Recent polling from the University of Massachusetts Amherst signals a challenging race ahead. In a hypothetical matchup, Markey leads with 35% of the vote, followed closely by Moulton with 25%, and Pressley at 21%. The poll, which surveyed 416 likely Democratic voters, underscores the uphill battle new entrants might face, carrying a margin of error of 6.1%.

Despite the buzz surrounding her possible candidacy, Pressley's spokesperson, Ricardo Sánchez, maintains that her current priorities remain fixed on legislative duties, particularly addressing the ongoing government shutdown and advocating for marginalized communities.

Pressley's political journey has been marked by her unexpected rise in 2018 when she unseated ten-term incumbent Rep. Mike Capuano in a startling primary upset. Her victory was a significant part of the broader progressive wave that year, which saw the election of the first members of the Squad to Congress.

However, financial hurdles could pose a significant challenge for Pressley. Recent Federal Election Commission filings show her with approximately $148,000 on hand, starkly less than Markey's $2.7 million and Moulton's $2.1 million war chests.

When approached about her future political plans during a recent public appearance in Boston, Pressley reiterated her focus on current national crises, sidestepping inquiries about her Senate ambitions.

Ed Markey, a seasoned political veteran who first entered the House in 1976 — the year Pressley was born — successfully defended his Senate seat against a younger challenger, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, in 2020. Whether history will repeat itself or a new chapter will begin in Massachusetts politics remains a closely watched question as the race unfolds.