The Boston mayoral race has seen an influx of financial support since Josh Kraft announced his candidacy in early February. In just a matter of months, Kraft has raised over $1 million from both local and distant supporters, eager for him to unseat incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu.
By the end of April, Wu had maintained a substantial fundraising lead with over $2 million more than Kraft. However, this changed quickly when Kraft contributed $2 million of his own money to his campaign, narrowing Wu’s advantage and igniting a contentious exchange between the candidates regarding their respective financial resources and strategies.
As the campaigns evolve, fundraising tactics, donations, and wealth have become central issues in this heated mayoral contest. Prior to the infusion of personal funds, Kraft’s campaign reported approximately $151,661 cash on hand by the end of April. Meanwhile, Wu’s campaign boasted a formidable $2,207,817.
Updated campaign finance records are expected soon, yet current data demonstrates substantial backing from outside the city for both candidates. Despite Kraft’s aggressive fundraising, Wu has remained a favorite among local donors, receiving nearly 7,000 donations since Kraft joined the race. Almost 40% of these contributions, translating to about 2,800 donations totaling around $360,000, were from Boston residents.
In contrast, Kraft received roughly 1,500 donations, with only around 32% from in-town supporters—approximately 470 donations totaling nearly $290,000. Interestingly, Kraft has attracted a larger number of high-value contributions, with over 780 donors contributing the maximum allowed amount of $1,000. Wu, on the other hand, had just over 330 individuals giving at that level.
Kraft’s campaign is backed by prominent figures including several members of the Kraft family, such as his father, Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots. Other notable supporters include Jim Davis, the chairman of New Balance; Dean Spanos, chairman of AG Spanos Companies; and executives from various Boston-area organizations such as Kayem Foods and Leader Bank.
Conversely, Wu’s top contributors include notable names such as Martin St. George, president of JetBlue; Donald Law, president of Live Nation New England; Jeffrey Leiden, chairman of Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Vikki Spruill, president of the New England Aquarium; and Jim Canales, president of the Barr Foundation, all donating $1,000.
A closer look reveals that Wu’s campaign has received a majority of its in-city support from smaller donations. Approximately 83% of the contributions from Boston residents were for $100 or less, showcasing substantial grassroots backing.
In stark contrast, only about 11.2% of the donations Kraft received from within Boston were at the $100 or less level, indicating a different donor base. Intriguingly, Kraft’s campaign has benefitted from out-of-state contributions as well, receiving around $138,000 from over 150 supporters across 19 states. Wu, on the other hand, garnered just under $62,000 from nearly 550 out-of-state donors spanning 38 states.
Wu’s campaign has aimed to portray Kraft as an outsider reliant on his wealth to gain public office. Despite his famous lineage, Kraft’s career has predominantly been in philanthropy rather than the sports industry. His relocation to Boston from Chestnut Hill in late 2023 was fueled by years in the city’s nonprofit sector, including his long tenure with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, where he spent three decades and served as CEO for the last 12 years.
The tension escalated when news broke of Kraft’s $2 million personal contribution to his campaign, prompting Wu to accuse him of attempting to “buy the election.” Kraft countered, addressing the reality of incumbency and accusing Wu of running her campaign from City Hall.
In a statement to The Boston Herald, Kraft emphasized the need for resources in modern campaigning, stating, “While my campaign just reached the $1 million mark in donations, a modern campaign that includes a strong and robust field organization requires more resources than I can raise in such a short time frame.”
Kraft continues to express optimism for his campaign as it progresses toward the elections, noting a strong staff and a campaign headquarters established in Nubian Square.
The personal narratives of both candidates add depth to the race. Kraft, 58, has denied Wu’s claims that he purchased his North End condo with financial assistance from his father. The Kraft campaign robustly asserts his status as a long-time Boston resident who has effectively participated in the city’s community for 35 years.
In contrast, Michelle Wu, 40, has her own history within the city. Elected to the Boston City Council in 2013 and subsequently mayor in 2021, Wu’s career also includes a stint in the administration of former Mayor Thomas Menino starting in 2010. She has worked to provide legal support for low-income small business owners through the Harvard Law School WilmerHale Legal Services Center.
As the summer approaches, it is clear that spending will continue to surge in this mayoral contest. The super PAC supporting Kraft, Your City, Your Future, has recently disclosed expenditures amounting to $1.42 million on various advertising strategies, reflecting the intense financial investment in the race.
Key financial contributions to this super PAC include a $1 million donation from Jim Davis of New Balance and Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics.
Meanwhile, a pro-Wu super PAC recently received $100,000 from 1199 SEIU, a labor union representing 85,000 health care workers in Massachusetts, following their endorsement of Wu for her reelection.
With significant financial backing from both candidates and ongoing attacks over their approaches and resources, the Boston mayoral race is positioning itself as one of the most competitive in the city’s history.
image source from：https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/06/out-of-town-money-floods-boston-mayors-race.html
