UPDATE: As the preliminary election on September 9, 2023 rapidly approaches, Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft is intensifying his attacks on incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu. With recent polls showing Wu leading Kraft by 59% to 29%, Kraft is determined to challenge her on multiple fronts.
Earlier today, Kraft accused the Wu administration of orchestrating delays on critical issues facing the city, including substance abuse and public health. Standing outside City Hall alongside Councilors Erin Murphy and Ed Flynn, Kraft claimed that hearings on vital topics have been postponed deliberately to sidestep addressing them before the election.
“The mayor has a lot to say about democracy in the face of Donald Trump, but this is not how a healthy democracy operates,” Kraft stated. He criticized councilors allied with Wu for directing a resolution aimed at declaring a public health emergency at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard to committee, effectively sidelining it.
Kraft highlighted the consequences of these delays, which he argues have affected hearings on critical topics such as sidewalk repairs, trash collection, and school closures. He pointedly remarked, “Proposals go to die” in committee, emphasizing the urgency to address these pressing matters.
In response, Wu defended her administration, citing scheduling conflicts for the delayed hearings. “We do our very best… It’s not always possible to clear everyone’s schedules,” she stated, addressing the media earlier today.
The tension escalated further last week when Kraft seized on allegations from a watchdog group that city assessors unfairly increased property valuations for commercial real estate owners who contested their assessments. Despite city and state officials denying the claims, Kraft is leveraging the controversy to question Wu’s governance.
Kraft, son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, announced his mayoral bid in February with aspirations to unseat Wu. Both candidates, running as Democrats in a nonpartisan race, have clashed on multiple issues, including housing shortages, rising renovation costs, and the city’s escalating substance abuse crisis.
Wu has countered Kraft’s critiques by targeting his campaign financing and personal interests, including a proposed soccer stadium project his family is developing just outside Boston. “It’s no surprise that, like with every other issue, Josh Kraft has plenty of criticism, but no new ideas,” Wu stated, asserting that her administration has made significant strides in addressing homelessness and drug-related deaths.
As the election draws near, the Kraft campaign is optimistic about gaining traction with voters. Senior adviser Will Keyser commented, “While insiders have been talking about the mayor’s race for months, most voters have been focused on other things and are just starting to pay attention.”
Early voting for the preliminary election begins this Saturday, with two candidates advancing to the general election on November 4, 2023. The stakes are high as both candidates prepare for a final push to sway undecided voters in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned as this race continues to develop with significant implications for Boston’s future.