Josh Craft Withdraws from Boston Mayor’s Race

Josh Craft has decided to end his campaign for mayor of Boston following a disappointing performance in the primary election, where he faced incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu.

The son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Craft faced an uphill battle against Wu, who is quite popular among voters. The primary results highlighted Wu’s position as a strong contender for reelection, aligning with what many polls had predicted.

Wu and Craft emerged from a blanket primary as the top candidates, but Wu secured a substantial victory with 72% of the votes compared to Craft’s 23%, setting her up for a likely win in November.

Craft, who has held leadership roles with the New England Patriots Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club in Boston, ran as a moderate Democrat contrasting with the progressive stance of Wu. Despite his efforts, he found it challenging to make significant headway in the race. After the primary results, he initially expressed determination to continue his campaign but later reconsidered.

In a statement on X, Craft mentioned that after listening to his supporters and community over the past few days, he felt it was best to withdraw from the race.

“We’ve concluded that what’s best for the city is to advance the conversation in a constructive manner. Instead of focusing on our divisions, we should aim to unify and tackle the political landscape in a more meaningful way,” he stated.

He expressed support for Wu in her efforts to address issues facing Boston, emphasizing his commitment to improving the city beyond electoral politics, drawing on his experience of over 30 years in community service.

“I remain concerned about our city and will continue to be a dedicated partner for every Bostonian, from city hall to our vibrant neighborhoods,” he added.

With Craft’s exit from the race, the path to Wu’s reelection becomes increasingly apparent. In response, Wu expressed gratitude towards Craft for his thoughtful decision and his commitment to bettering the city.

“We will keep engaging with our community as we address the significant work ahead of us in the coming months,” she concluded.