Boston’s mayoral race took an unexpected turn Thursday evening when Josh Kraft, the son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, announced he was suspending his campaign just two days after advancing to the November ballot alongside incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu.
Kraft confirmed his decision on local station WCVB-TV, saying he would shift his focus to social initiatives. The move surprised political observers: on Tuesday, Kraft had placed second in the preliminary election, securing a spot on the general ballot with 23 percent of the vote, far behind Wu’s commanding 72 percent and ahead of two other challengers.
Despite pouring millions of his own money into the race, Kraft was unable to overcome Wu’s broad popularity. According to campaign finance reports cited by NBC News, Kraft spent $5.5 million—more than $5 million of it in personal loans—compared to Wu’s $1.1 million. The results underscored the steep uphill battle facing his campaign.
“This was never about me or Wu”
In a letter to supporters shared with the Associated Press, Kraft explained his reasoning: “We could spend the next eight weeks politicking—with harmful rhetoric or nasty attack ads. Or we could get back to what really matters — the issues that impact Bostonians each and every day. The work I have focused on for my whole career.”
He added that stepping aside was meant to reduce division at a time of national polarization. “This is the right decision during a time in America where we need to come closer together despite all our differences, instead of igniting divisiveness that pulls us further apart,” Kraft said.
The former candidate pledged to redirect $3 million—a mix of campaign funds and new contributions—toward local programs. The money will fund workforce training for former inmates as well as initiatives to address homelessness and drug addiction in the area of Boston known as Mass and Cass. “The issues that truly matter to Boston residents must remain at the center of our efforts, and that’s what I intend to continue doing,” Kraft said.
Wu’s response and a broader political backdrop
Mayor Wu, who has enjoyed a strong approval rating, responded in a statement emailed Thursday night. “I respect his decision and thank him for caring about our city deeply enough to want to make it better,” she said.
“We are going to continue over the next two months and beyond to keep engaging our community members about the critical work in front of us and how we keep making Boston a safe, welcoming home for everyone,” Wu added in comments shared with NBC News.
Kraft’s withdrawal comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Boston and the Trump administration. The same week as the preliminary election, federal immigration authorities launched a new operation in the city, echoing a May sweep that led to nearly 1,500 arrests.
The administration, often represented by “border czar” Tom Homan, has repeatedly accused Boston of failing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement due to its sanctuary city policies. Wu has consistently defended Boston’s status, arguing the city must remain “a welcoming place for immigrants.”
Tensions escalated further last week when the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against Wu, the city, and its police department, alleging they obstruct immigration enforcement. Wu fired back, accusing President Donald Trump of “attacking cities to hide his administration’s failures.”
A race with no clear challenger
With Kraft’s departure, Wu is left with no major rival heading into November. Already the first woman and first Asian American elected mayor of Boston, she is now widely expected to secure reelection.
Her likely victory will further strengthen her political standing at home while she continues to confront pressure from Washington and defend local policies against federal pushback.
Still, the Boston race will be closely watched nationally, as immigration and the clash between city governments and the Trump administration remain among the most divisive issues shaping the American political landscape.
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Source: NBC News
