Boston Mayoral Candidates Forum Scheduled for May 2025

News Summary

Boston will host a mayoral candidates forum on May 15, 2025, via Zoom, featuring current Mayor Michelle Wu and challengers Josh Kraft, Domingos DaRosa, and Kerry Augustin. Organized by several Democratic wards, the forum will allow candidates to present their visions and policy proposals to residents. Issues like housing and transportation are expected to be pivotal in the upcoming election. Interested participants can register through a provided link.

Boston will host a mayoral candidates forum on May 15, 2025, via Zoom, starting at 6:15 pm. The event will feature Boston Mayor Michelle Wu along with three challengers: Josh Kraft, Domingos DaRosa, and Kerry Augustin. The forum is organized by several of Boston’s Democratic wards, specifically Wards 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, and 19, and will be moderated by Saraya Wintersmith from GBH.

Residents interested in participating in the forum can register through a provided link. This forum will serve as a platform for candidates to present their visions and policy proposals to the public ahead of the upcoming mayoral election.

Candidates Profile

Michelle Wu has been serving as Boston’s mayor since November 2021 and is notable for being the first Asian American woman to hold both the city councilor and mayoral positions in Boston. Wu has marked her term with various initiatives and policies, including a strong focus on housing, transportation, and social equity. Despite the challenges of her current term, including controversies surrounding school mergers and rising housing costs, Wu remains committed to pursuing key initiatives she highlighted during her 2021 campaign, such as rent control and public transportation enhancements. Additionally, Wu recently welcomed a new baby girl, and while facing the campaign pressures, she has indicated her intention to forgo maternity leave.

Challenging Wu is Josh Kraft, who is notably the son of Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. Kraft brings significant experience in philanthropy and social services, having worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and currently serving as the chair of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. Since launching his campaign on January 24, 2025, Kraft has been actively preparing his team for the electoral process and managing campaign finance through his committee.

The affirmative presence of Domingos DaRosa and Kerry Augustin adds further diversity to the candidate pool. DaRosa and Augustin have yet to establish significant public profiles but are expected to address critical local issues during the forum.

Key Issues in the Campaign

The 2025 mayoral race is shaping up to be a closely watched competition, with key issues at the forefront. Candidates are likely to focus on housing, which remains a pressing concern for many Boston residents, as well as transportation, a topic that has seen various proposals and disputes over infrastructure investments and public transit reliability. Mayor Wu’s relationship with business leaders has also been a contentious point; her policies have drawn both support and opposition within the business community.

As the forum approaches, the candidates will likely prepare to engage with voters over pivotal topics that affect Boston’s future. The city has experienced a range of changes under Wu’s administration, and as challengers like Kraft gear up for the debate, voters will gain insights into how each candidate plans to tackle the ongoing challenges the city faces.

Background Context

The 2025 Boston mayoral campaign emerges from a backdrop of increasing community engagement and heightened political awareness among residents. Local issues have taken center stage, prompting citizens and voters to demand accountability and effectiveness from their elected officials. Discussions around education reforms, social services, and economic development continue to resonate throughout the community, reflecting the evolving landscape of urban governance in Boston.

The candidates will face the challenge of connecting with an electorate that has increasingly diverse needs and expectations, and this forum will provide an essential opportunity for them to lay out their platforms and engage directly with the public.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Secures Major Union Endorsements

Additional Resources

• Jamaica Plain News: Mayoral Candidate Forum
• The Crimson: Kraft in Boston Mayor Race
• Boston Globe: Candidate Debates & Forums
• Wikipedia: Boston
• Google Search: Boston Mayoral Forum 2025