Boston, September 12, 2025
News Summary
Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu secured a decisive victory in the Boston mayoral preliminary election with approximately 72% of the votes. Her primary opponent, Josh Kraft, who garnered around 23%, suspended his campaign following the results to focus on local projects addressing homelessness and drug addiction. Wu’s strong support reflects her position on key local issues and her stance against federal policies under the Trump administration. The preliminary results pave a strong path for Wu entering the general election in November.
Boston
Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu won the Boston mayoral preliminary election in a landslide, receiving approximately 72% of the vote. Her chief challenger, Josh Kraft, received about 23% of the vote and announced he was suspending his campaign after the results. The margin of victory closely matched recent polling, including an Emerson College poll that showed a roughly 50-point lead for Wu.
Key results and immediate outcomes
The preliminary outcome effectively secured Mayor Wu a clear path to the general election in November, leaving her in a dominant political position going into the final months of the campaign season. Following the preliminary, Wu held an outdoor rally in the Roslindale neighborhood to thank supporters.
Josh Kraft, who had been the main challenger and financed much of his own campaign, decided to suspend his bid after the preliminary. He cited concerns about avoiding harmful political rhetoric and signaled a shift to focus on city issues. Kraft said he will redirect about $3 million in remaining campaign funds toward local projects aimed at addressing homelessness and drug addiction in the Mass and Cass area.
Money in the race
Campaign spending in the race showed a large disparity. As of the end of August, Kraft had spent approximately $5.5 million, much of it from personal loans and his own financing, while Wu had spent about $1.1 million. Kraft’s suspension means his remaining funds will be used for local projects rather than continued campaigning.
Issues and voter sentiment
The campaign featured contentious exchanges on several local topics. Kraft criticized Wu on issues such as rent control and challenges in the public school system, but voters in the preliminary appeared to give Wu the benefit of the doubt on those concerns. A notable factor in Wu’s popularity was her positioning as a defender of Boston against policies from the Trump administration. Her administration’s legal battle with the federal government over sanctuary city policies framed her as an advocate for immigrant protections, a stance that resonated in a city where former President Donald Trump is broadly unpopular.
What the result means going forward
With the preliminary outcome, Wu enters the general election with substantial political capital. The coming months are likely to see her leveraging that position to support allies and to advance priorities from her platform. The general election scheduled for November will determine whether she secures another term, but the preliminary vote totals make her the clear frontrunner.
Background and context
Boston’s preliminary election narrows the field of mayoral contenders, selecting the top two vote-getters to move on to the general election. A high share of the vote in the preliminary is a strong indicator of general election strength, particularly when the leading candidate significantly outpaces rivals. In this race, Wu’s combined standing as Boston’s first female and first Asian mayor and her public positions on national and local issues contributed to broad support across the city.
The legal dispute between the City of Boston and the federal government over sanctuary city policies remains an active element of the political landscape. The city has characterized the federal lawsuit as an unconstitutional intrusion into local governance, and that dispute has become part of how voters evaluate the mayor’s leadership on immigration and public-safety matters.
Near-term timeline
- Preliminary results announced: Immediate outcome favored Michelle Wu.
- Candidate suspension: Josh Kraft suspended his campaign and announced reallocation of funds to local projects.
- General election: The final vote is scheduled for November, with Wu the clear frontrunner based on preliminary results and recent polling.
FAQ
How much of the vote did Michelle Wu receive in the preliminary?
Michelle Wu received approximately 72% of the vote in the Boston mayoral preliminary election.
What did Josh Kraft decide after the preliminary results?
After receiving about 23% of the vote, Josh Kraft suspended his campaign and announced plans to redirect roughly $3 million in remaining campaign funds to local projects addressing homelessness and drug addiction in the Mass and Cass area.
How did campaign spending compare between the two main candidates?
As of the end of August, Josh Kraft had spent about $5.5 million, much of it from personal loans, while Michelle Wu had spent approximately $1.1 million.
Why did Michelle Wu perform strongly with voters?
Voters cited a mix of factors, including Wu’s stance on immigration and sanctuary city policies, her record as mayor, and alignment with broader city sentiments. Recent polling showing a large lead also mirrored the preliminary result.
What happens next for the mayoral race?
With Kraft’s suspension, Wu is the clear frontrunner going into the general election scheduled for November. She is expected to use her political position to support allies and promote agenda items from her campaign platform.
At-a-glance numbers
| Item | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle Wu vote share (preliminary) | Approximately 72% | Projected frontrunner for November general election |
| Josh Kraft vote share (preliminary) | Approximately 23% | Suspended campaign post-preliminary |
| Kraft campaign spending (through Aug) | About $5.5 million | Significant portion self-financed |
| Wu campaign spending (through Aug) | About $1.1 million | Lower spending but large voter support |
| Remaining Kraft funds to redirect | About $3 million | Targeted to Mass and Cass homelessness and addiction projects |
| Legal context | City vs. federal government | Ongoing legal battle over sanctuary city policies |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Massachusetts Rent Control Ballot Measure Advances
Student Stabbed at Madison Park High School
Michelle Wu Wins Boston Mayoral Primary
Boston City Council Election Narrows Candidates for November
Small Business Confidence Declines Heading into Final Quarter
Historic Ebenezer Hancock House in Boston Hits the Market
Boston City Council Preliminary Election Results Narrowed
RSCMEA Endorses Mayor Michelle Wu for Reelection
Boston Police Respond to 142 Incidents in 24 Hours
Escalating Immigration Enforcement Strains Relations in Chicago and Boston
Additional Resources
- NBC News: Josh Kraft Drops Out of Boston Mayor’s Race
- CBS News: Josh Kraft Suspends His Campaign
- The Crimson: Kraft Drops Out of Boston Mayoral Race
- MassLive: Vote Cost Analysis for Boston Mayoral Candidates
- Wikipedia: Mayor of Boston
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
