In the politically charged environment of Boston’s mayoral race, Josh Kraft, son of billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is defined primarily by his father’s wealth and connections to President Donald Trump.
This association has become a focal point for incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu, who has efficiently leveraged the ongoing national discourse about the influence of billionaires in politics to question Kraft’s suitability as a candidate.
At a recent campaign event held while Wu enjoyed a family vacation in Maine, her supporters demanded that Kraft disclose his tax returns.
State Senator Lydia Edwards characterized Kraft’s actions as ‘Trump-like’ due to his hesitance to reveal financial details, and various speakers labeled him an ‘oligarch’ and ‘elite’, further emphasizing the growing narrative around his privileged background.
Wu’s campaign is buoyed by a recent poll suggesting she leads Kraft by a staggering 30 points, prompting the mayor to assert that Kraft is keeping Boston voters in the dark about his financial entanglements and potential conflicts of interest.
Should Wu win reelection, her platform could significantly amplify, positioning her as one of the progressive leaders for Democrats looking to recover from recent defeats across the nation.
Kraft, who has no prior experience in political office, faces an uphill battle that is intensified by his declining public perception.
While he was known for his charitable work leading the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, many believe he has missed the opportunity to highlight this positive narrative early in his campaign.
Instead of focusing on community service, Kraft opted for an aggressive stance on various local issues—ranging from bike lanes and school safety to the White Stadium renovation plans championed by Wu and the challenges posed by homelessness and drug problems on Boston’s streets.
However, his responses often fall back on the need for further study rather than presenting clear and actionable alternatives.
Kraft’s connection to his father’s network further complicates his political ambitions, earning him criticism for aligning himself with Trump and the contentious political atmosphere surrounding billionaire influence.
When questioned about his father’s connections, Kraft has attempted to maintain some distance, expressing his frustration with the assumptions that arise from the association.
Despite acknowledging his father’s role in campaign financing, he cannot shake the implications that arise from it.
As Wu actively challenges Kraft’s credibility, she has targeted his potential conflicts of interest concerning the Kraft Group’s proposed soccer stadium in Everett.
Although Kraft has committed to recusing himself from discussions related to the stadium should he be elected, critics question the adequacy of this measure.
Supporters of Wu argue that regardless of Kraft’s stated intentions, as mayor, he should ultimately prioritize the interests of Boston over those of his family’s business.
Recent reports indicated that the Kraft Group has proposed mitigation payments of $750,000 linked to the stadium project—seen by some as inadequate compared to the $2 million Kraft has personally loaned his campaign and the nearly $3 million spent by a super PAC funded by his father’s associates to target Wu with attack ads.
Kraft’s campaign has pledged transparency regarding his tax filings, noting that he applied for a six-month extension for his 2024 tax return, promising its release before the preliminary election on September 9.
However, skepticism remains among voters about whether this delay is a tactical maneuver to manage public perception.
Kraft’s campaign has claimed that his business interests are held in blind trusts and that he does not operate any businesses within Boston, yet these assurances have not quelled the doubts surrounding his financial transparency.
Wu’s campaign also faced scrutiny for its own transparency issues, particularly concerning estimated renovation costs for the White Stadium and information related to tragic incidents such as the death of a 5-year-old boy hit by a Boston school bus.
While this presents a potential avenue of critique for Kraft, he has struggled to capitalize on it effectively in the face of declining support.
An alarming poll finding indicated that 60 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, ‘Michelle Wu has had some challenges, but Josh Kraft is not the answer,’ leaving only 25 percent in disagreement.
Ultimately, the onus is on Kraft to alter this perception as time runs out in his campaign.
As he moves forward, the question remains: Can he redefine his narrative and connect with Boston voters before the polls close?
image source from：bostonglobe
