Josh Craft, the son of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and New England Patriots owner Robert Craft, has made strides in the preliminary stage of the city’s mayoral election, as reported by the decision-making desk for the upcoming general election.
This election pits Boston’s first female mayor and first Asian American mayor against Craft, who has a background with the Patriots Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club in Boston.
Both candidates faced relatively minor competition and have advanced from the partisan blanket primary to the general election.
The contest seems to be shaping up as a sort of ideological duel between the progressive Wu and the more moderate Craft, who is also running under the Democratic banner. Yet, Wu has enjoyed significant popularity in Boston, positioning her favorably as she aims for re-election in November.
All eyes will be on Craft’s performance in the primary, as that could indicate his chances against Wu.
Wu’s re-election campaign emphasizes critical local issues like housing affordability and crime reduction but has also drawn national attention due to her stance against the Trump administration’s policies impacting sanctuary cities, where local authorities limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
In a social media response last month, she stated, “The U.S. Attorney General has asked for a response by today, so please stop attacking our city to hide the administration’s failures,” in reference to a letter sent to the sanctuary jurisdiction by Attorney General Pam Bondy.
A few months prior, Wu and other Democratic mayors defended the Sanctuary City policy during a hearing with the GOP-led House Oversight Committee, positioning her as a key figure opposing the administration’s stance.
Craft has critiqued Wu on various local issues, such as the lack of affordable housing, plans for expanding bike lanes, and public safety concerns. However, early polling indicates a strong lead for Wu.
An Emerson College poll conducted last week revealed Wu leading by 50 percentage points, with 72% backing her compared to Craft’s 22%. Around 75% of respondents viewed her positively.
Additionally, a Suffolk University poll from July showed Wu leading by 40 points.
Wu has garnered significant support from prominent Massachusetts Democrats, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, as well as Representative Ayanna Pressley and Boston City Councilor Lucy Lewin.
Craft has also received some endorsements, notably from a runner-up in the 2021 race.
