Boston, September 22, 2025
News Summary
Josh Kraft has announced the suspension of his campaign for Boston Mayor after receiving 23% of the votes in the recent primary election, where Michelle Wu secured approximately 72%. Despite investing over $5.5 million into his campaign, Kraft struggled to resonate with voters. He plans to redirect remaining resources towards community initiatives, particularly addressing issues like homelessness and substance abuse. The November ballot will still feature both candidates.
Boston — Josh Kraft announced on Thursday he is suspending his campaign for Boston Mayor. The decision followed a decisive result in the preliminary election in which Michelle Wu and Kraft advanced to the November ballot, with Wu winning a strong majority in the primary round.
Key developments
Wu secured approximately 72% of the vote compared to Kraft’s 23% in the primary election. Kraft made the suspension announcement after advancing to the November ballot alongside incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu in the preliminary election. Despite the progression to the general election, the gap in voter support in the primary was substantial.
Despite investing over $5.5 million in his campaign, including $5 million from personal loans, Kraft struggled to find a resonant message among voters. Campaign finance reports show a marked difference in spending and fundraising approaches: Kraft injected large personal funds while Wu’s prior campaign raised around $1.1 million, illustrating a significant financial disparity between the candidates.
Immediate actions following suspension
He highlighted his commitment to address issues such as workforce training for former inmates, homelessness, and drug addiction in the Mass and Cass area, announcing a $3 million investment of campaign funds. Kraft said he will redirect remaining campaign resources toward community-focused initiatives and substance abuse efforts rather than continuing active campaigning into the fall.
Officials and campaign representatives confirmed that both Kraft and Wu outperformed other primary candidates, Robert Cappucci and Domingos DaRosa, in the preliminary election. Political analysts noted that Kraft’s campaign, though unsuccessful in narrowing voter support, may have inadvertently increased public attention and support for the incumbent.
Responses from the incumbent
Mayor Michelle Wu expressed appreciation for Kraft’s engagement on city issues and signaled an intention to continue outreach to community members on critical topics over the coming months. Wu is Boston’s first female and Asian mayor and has been noted for past efforts defending city policies against federal actions.
Context and background
The preliminary election framed the coming November contest as a choice between an incumbent with established citywide support and a challenger who invested significant personal funds. Kraft’s campaign emphasized nonpartisan community solutions and targeted investments in social services after the campaign suspension. Observers emphasize that the November ballot now includes a clear frontrunner based on preliminary vote totals.
Campaign finance dynamics were a focal point of coverage: Kraft’s loans and spending created a high-profile financial footprint, while Wu’s comparatively modest campaign fundraising underscored strong voter support rather than heavy spending. Both candidates’ advancement past other contenders consolidated the race around local priorities such as public safety, homelessness, workforce development, and substance use intervention.
What comes next
With Kraft suspending active campaigning, attention shifts to how his announced redirection of funds will be implemented in the Mass and Cass area and other parts of the city. The November ballot will still list both candidates unless formal withdrawal steps are taken, and debate over policy details and implementation plans is likely to continue through the general election period.
FAQ
- Did Josh Kraft suspend his campaign for Boston Mayor?
- Josh Kraft announced on Thursday he is suspending his campaign for Boston Mayor.
- What were the primary election results between Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft?
- Wu secured approximately 72% of the vote compared to Kraft’s 23% in the primary election.
- How much did Josh Kraft invest in his campaign?
- Despite investing over $5.5 million in his campaign, including $5 million from personal loans, Kraft struggled to find a resonant message among voters.
- What community investments did Kraft announce after suspending his campaign?
- He highlighted his commitment to address issues such as workforce training for former inmates, homelessness, and drug addiction in the Mass and Cass area, announcing a $3 million investment of campaign funds.
- How much had Michelle Wu’s prior campaign raised?
- Wu’s prior campaign raised around $1.1 million, illustrating a significant financial disparity between the candidates.
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Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Boston |
| Action | Josh Kraft suspended his campaign for Boston Mayor |
| Primary result – Michelle Wu | Approximately 72% of the vote |
| Primary result – Josh Kraft | 23% of the vote |
| Kraft campaign spending | Over $5.5 million, including $5 million from personal loans |
| Kraft announced community investment | $3 million toward workforce training, homelessness, and drug addiction in the Mass and Cass area |
| Wu prior campaign funds | Around $1.1 million |
| Other primary candidates | Robert Cappucci and Domingos DaRosa |
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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.
