Josh Kraft, a prominent philanthropist and longtime Boston resident, enters the mayoral race against incumbent Michelle Wu, promising to prioritize issues like housing affordability and strong leadership. Kraft, known for his work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and other local organizations, emphasizes listening to residents and learning from diverse perspectives. While Wu boasts a strong record of public service and enjoys historical advantages as an incumbent, Kraft believes his experience and commitment to community engagement will resonate with voters.
Josh Kraft , 57, the second youngest son of billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is challenging incumbent Boston Mayor Michelle Wu in the upcoming election. A prominent figure in the Boston nonprofit community, Kraft spent 30 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, including serving as CEO from 2008 to 2020. He currently oversees his family's philanthropic efforts, including his role as CEO of the New England Patriots Foundation since 2023.
Kraft has also been involved with several local institutions, including Brandeis University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Kraft entered the mayoral race, vowing to focus on issues like housing affordability and strong leadership. He stated, 'We have to do better,' regarding Boston's efforts to increase housing production. He emphasized the importance of listening to people from all walks of life, stating, 'Strong leadership starts with listening. I will continue listening to people in every part of Boston because my life has taught me that you can learn from anyone.' While Kraft hasn't detailed specific policy differences with Wu, he criticized her in his campaign launch video for prioritizing 'politics and ideology ahead of impact.' Kraft, a registered Democrat, has historically supported Democratic candidates, including most members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation. His donations have ranged from local Boston politicians to national figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris. However, Kraft has also made contributions to some Republican politicians, primarily those who strongly support Israel, a cause close to his heart as a Jewish individual. His campaign spokesperson, Eileen O'Connor, stated that these donations were solely based on their pro-Israel stance. Despite facing an incumbent mayor with a strong track record and limited historical precedent for challengers successfully unseating Boston mayors, Kraft believes his experience and commitment to listening to the people will make a difference in the upcoming election.
Josh Kraft Boston Mayoral Election Michelle Wu Philanthropy Housing Affordability Leadership Boston Politics
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