Kraft Exits Boston Mayor's Race, Paving Way For Wu’s Reelection
Just days after losing soundly in the preliminary election, Josh Kraft has exited the Boston mayoral race, likely teeing up a second term for Mayor Michelle Wu.
The candidate dropped out of the race Thursday evening, saying he doesn't want to "spend the next eight weeks politicking – with harmful rhetoric or nasty attack ads."
"I remain concerned about our city, and I will continue to be a committed partner for all Bostonians," Kraft wrote in an Instagram post.
He said he would put his remaining campaign funds toward the homelessness crisis near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.
In Tuesday's preliminary election — which determines the two finalists for the November election — Kraft finished nearly 50 points behind with 23% of the vote compared to Wu's 72%.
As of state law, Kraft has until Monday to take his name off the ballot, and it's not clear whether another candidate will qualify for the November election. The next-highest vote-getter Tuesday was community activist Domingos DaRosa, who received 2.6% of the vote.
Early on in his campaign, Kraft was a stark critic of Wu's efforts to address housing affordability, and he ran on jump-starting housing production that has halted. Last month, Kraft amplified claims about the Wu administration artificially inflating commercial property values for 39 buildings by $545M.
The commercial real estate and business communities have criticized Wu throughout her first term for her policies such requiring higher Inclusionary Development and Linkage fees, pushing stringent sustainable building policies and floating the idea of rent control across the city.
For years, industry leaders have shared concerns that the policies will deter business from the city and halt development. Industry groups have pushed back with several lobbying campaigns.
Prominent real estate developer Tom O'Brien had considered joining the race but said in March he decided not to run.
Kraft, a longtime nonprofit executive and son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, received support from the business community. But as Wu defended Boston from the impacts of Trump administration actions this year, her popularity rose in the city.
