Boston, September 24, 2025
News Summary
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has confirmed her reelection victory with no opposition as a recount reaffirmed her win. Wu touted Boston’s record-low crime rates during her tenure, despite criticisms regarding the accuracy of media coverage. She emphasized the city’s safety achievements and addressed ongoing issues, such as affordable housing and public safety, while preparing for the general election. With strong community support, Wu faces no formal opponent in November, indicating a continuation of her policy priorities.
Boston
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has secured her reelection victory, facing no opponent going into November after a recount confirmed her win. She has recently voiced complaints about media coverage, claiming news outlets do not report accurately on Boston’s low crime rates under her leadership.
What happened
In a radio interview, Wu emphasized Boston’s crime statistics, saying the city had the safest year ever on record in 2024, with the lowest number of homicides recorded in 70 years. Wu erroneously claimed that a major local newspaper did not cover Boston’s crime reduction during that period. Local media has, in fact, reported extensively on the drop in violent crime rates in Boston since 2024.
Wu addressed the media again at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce event, highlighting Boston’s homicide rate as the lowest in absolute numbers and per capita in the city’s history. Despite Wu’s claims, other major U.S. cities, including San Diego, San Jose, and El Paso, had lower homicide rates than Boston in 2024, challenging her assertion of Boston being the safest major city.
Election details and rivals
Wu and her opponent, Josh Kraft, overcame two other candidates, Robert Cappucci and Domingos Darosa, in the preliminary election. Wu won the preliminary election with nearly 72% of the vote, outpacing Kraft by a 48-point margin, reflecting strong support across all Boston neighborhoods. Kraft, who has invested millions of his own money into his campaign, criticized Wu’s record on housing and affordability issues in Boston.
Kraft pledged to continue campaigning despite the significant defeat in the preliminary election, indicating a campaign focused on better community connectivity. Wu has received endorsements from various Democratic leaders and maintained cash reserves favoring her campaign over Kraft.
Policy, criticism and priorities
Wu has advocated for preserving Boston as a sanctuary city and has actively opposed federal immigration enforcement efforts during her tenure, often framing these discussions as essential to the city’s identity and safety. Wu’s administration had faced criticism and scrutiny from the Trump administration, particularly regarding federal immigration policies.
Looking ahead to the general election, Wu plans to continue focusing on ongoing issues such as affordable housing and the challenges posed by open-air drug use in the community, positioning these as key objectives heading into the general election. At a recent election night event, Wu said the results showed that Boston was not for sale, contrasting her administration’s accountability to residents against Kraft’s significant campaign spending as a wealthy candidate.
Why this matters
The immediate implications for the city include a continuation of current policy priorities under Wu’s leadership and a likely November race that will proceed without an official opponent following the confirmed recount result. The discussion over crime statistics and how they are covered highlights a clash between city officials and parts of the local press. Comparisons with other major U.S. cities underscore that raw improvements in local homicide counts do not necessarily position Boston as the safest large city nationwide.
Background
Boston has tracked violent crime and homicide trends closely in recent years. The preliminary election results showed a decisive margin for Wu, who is using that mandate to press on with housing affordability initiatives and public-safety strategies aimed at reducing open-air drug use. Campaign finance and spending remain focal points in the debate over influence and accountability in local elections.
FAQ
Has Mayor Michelle Wu secured her reelection victory?
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has secured her reelection victory, facing no opponent going into November after a recount confirmed her win.
Has Mayor Wu complained about media coverage?
Wu has recently voiced complaints about media coverage, claiming news outlets do not report accurately on Boston’s low crime rates under her leadership.
What did Wu say about crime statistics in 2024?
In a radio interview, Wu emphasized Boston’s crime statistics, saying the city had the safest year ever on record in 2024, with the lowest number of homicides recorded in 70 years.
Did Wu claim a local newspaper did not cover crime reduction?
Wu erroneously claimed that a major local newspaper did not cover Boston’s crime reduction during that period.
Have local media reported on crime trends?
Local media has, in fact, reported extensively on the drop in violent crime rates in Boston since 2024.
How did Wu perform in the preliminary election?
Wu won the preliminary election with nearly 72% of the vote, outpacing Kraft by a 48-point margin, reflecting strong support across all Boston neighborhoods.
Who were the preliminary election candidates?
Wu and her opponent, Josh Kraft, overcame two other candidates, Robert Cappucci and Domingos Darosa, in the preliminary election.
What are Wu’s stated priorities going into the general election?
Wu plans to continue focusing on ongoing issues such as affordable housing and the challenges posed by open-air drug use in the community, positioning these as key objectives heading into the general election.
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Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Confirmed result | Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has secured her reelection victory, facing no opponent going into November after a recount confirmed her win. |
| Preliminary vote share | Wu won the preliminary election with nearly 72% of the vote, outpacing Kraft by a 48-point margin. |
| Primary opponent | Josh Kraft (who invested millions of his own money into his campaign) |
| Other preliminary candidates | Robert Cappucci and Domingos Darosa |
| Crime and safety claims | In a radio interview, Wu emphasized Boston’s crime statistics, saying the city had the safest year ever on record in 2024, with the lowest number of homicides recorded in 70 years. |
| Comparative context | Other major U.S. cities, including San Diego, San Jose, and El Paso, had lower homicide rates than Boston in 2024. |
| Administration priorities | Affordable housing and addressing open-air drug use |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Michelle Wu Runs Unopposed in Boston Mayoral Reelection
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Runs Unopposed for Reelection
BPDA Approves 204-Unit Housing Development in Hyde Park
Boston’s Mass. and Cass Area Shows Signs of Change Amid Concerns
Monica Cannon-Grant Pleads Guilty to Nonprofit Fraud Charges
District 7 Preliminary Election Results Recount Confirmed
Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Mayor Wu and Crime
- NBC Boston: Mayor’s Forum
- Boston Herald: Wu’s Victory Lap
- Wikipedia: Crime in Boston
- BU News Service: Wu’s Appeal
- Google Search: Boston Crime Statistics
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.
