Wu, Kraft Advance in Boston Mayoral Primary

Lead Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and challenger Josh Kraft secured the top two spots in Boston’s nonpartisan preliminary mayoral election Tuesday, guaranteeing their matchup in the November runoff.

Nut Graf The preliminary narrowed a four-candidate field to Wu and Kraft, who will vie for a second term and for historic first-person milestones in November. Voter turnout and shifting priorities on housing, public safety and immigration policy mark a flashpoint in the race’s broad relevance.

Main Part

Subhead: Top‐Two Finishers Mayor Wu, first elected in 2021 as Boston’s first woman of Asian descent to hold the office, led the pack with strong support in South Boston and the downtown core. Kraft, former New England Patriots Foundation president and son of team owner Robert Kraft, finished second, drawing votes from West Roxbury and Dorchester precincts.

Subhead: Issues Driving the Vote

• Housing and development: Wu’s record on affordable housing projects won endorsements from state and local Democrats, while Kraft criticized slow permitting timelines and advocated accelerated rehab grants.
• Public safety and stadium debate: Critics of Wu’s $50 million White Stadium renovation plan rallied behind Kraft’s cost-cutting proposals.
• Immigration and sanctuary city status: The Justice Department’s recent lawsuit against Boston over sanctuary city ordinances added urgency, with Kraft accusing Wu of undermining federal law and the mayor defending local autonomy.

Subhead: Looking Ahead to November With both candidates from the Democratic Party, November’s final will hinge less on partisanship and more on personal track records and campaign messaging. The runoff pits Wu’s progressive coalition against Kraft’s business-oriented platform as each seeks to attract supporters of eliminated contenders Robert Cappucci and Domingos Da Rosa.