Boston philanthropist Josh Kraft just lately registered as a Democrat however would face a frightening problem taking over Mayor Michelle Wu, who has an ideal storm of circumstances to run for re-election in 2025.
A Herald report a couple of current mayoral ballot – possible paid for by Kraft – might assist Wu increase cash and body the race as a progressive girl of shade operating towards a rich, white out-of-towner.
Kraft, who runs the New England Patriots philanthropic arm, would run as a left-of-center businessman with deep ties to Boston’s communities of shade and keep away from being tagged as a conservative representing the “old” Boston.
The son of Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft was a longtime unbiased however his change to Democrat means he’s significantly contemplating leaping into the overwhelmingly Democratic Boston mayoral race. A choice on whether or not to run is probably going within the subsequent few months.
However Kraft would wish to cobble collectively a coalition of conservatives and voters of shade to be able to win – an exceedingly tough problem towards Wu, who made historical past in 2021 as the primary non-white male Boston mayor.
And the previous Chestnut Hill resident would wish to shed the notion that he’s only a wealthy outsider trying to purchase the race.
Wu – whose aggressive remaking of town’s streets to accommodate bicycles has drawn the ire of longtime residents – is already beginning to transfer to the middle, cracking down on outlaw mopeds and standing by her police commissioner and the police division.
Wu may be aided by the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump, who can be an ideal foil in 2025 if he’s elected to a different White Home time period.
Robert Kraft has shut ties to Trump and Wu would possible exploit that to attempt to paint Josh Kraft as an extremist conservative regardless that he has a strong file of voting in Democratic primaries and contributing to Democrats.
However Wu does have weaknesses which have left her open to a well-funded problem. She has been closely criticized by even liberals for shutting out residents from necessary coverage selections and ramrodding via her plans to show Boston into her personal progressive Wutopia.
Her administration’s lack of transparency – particularly within the Police Division – may be fodder for criticism.
As a way to mount a profitable problem, Kraft would wish a one-on-one race towards Wu, hoping that his cash and identify recognition would clear the sector.
South Boston Metropolis Councilor Ed Flynn can also be mulling a mayoral bid though it’s removed from clear he would run towards the favored Wu. Flynn would possible draw from the average to conservative aspect if he ran – a phase that Kraft additionally wants.
One different contender has already emerged, North Finish restaurant proprietor Jorge Mendoza, although he’s extra of a fringe candidate.
Wu has not formally declared her plans to run for a second time period, however has all however stated she’s going to, and her marketing campaign warfare chest stands at greater than $1.5 million – not an enormous quantity for an incumbent however she will be able to increase way more off simply Kraft’s ballot.
