Jamaica Plain, Boston, September 3, 2025
News Summary
Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and challengers Josh Kraft and Domingos DaRosa met at Bethel AME Church to address critical issues for Boston’s Black communities just before the preliminary election. Key topics included the renovation of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, housing shortages, and support for immigrants. Wu committed over $700 million to Madison Park renovations, while Kraft proposed to enhance the school’s vocational programs. The candidates shared differing views on addressing the racial homeownership gap and creating a welcoming environment for immigrants.
Boston — A forum held at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain brought incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and challengers Josh Kraft and Domingos DaRosa together one week before the preliminary mayoral election on September 9 to address issues prioritized by Boston’s Black communities, including immigration, housing and the future of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.
Top lines
The forum focused on concrete proposals for renovating Madison Park High School, addressing housing shortages, supporting immigrants facing deportation threats and closing the racial homeownership gap. Mayor Michelle Wu announced a commitment of more than $700 million toward Madison Park renovations. Josh Kraft outlined a plan to elevate Madison Park into the top vocational school in Massachusetts and emphasized building more housing. Domingos DaRosa stressed that changing perceptions and inspiring students matters as much as financing. A fourth candidate, Robert Cappucci, did not attend because of a family emergency but remains in the race.
What happened at the forum
The event, organized in collaboration with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and the Black Ministerial Alliance TenPoint Coalition, gave candidates space to present policy priorities rather than engage in direct exchanges. The format limited opportunities for them to criticize one another and instead produced detailed statements on shared concerns affecting Black residents of Boston.
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
Madison Park was a central topic. The incumbent pledged more than $700 million to renovate the school and framed the project as a major, long-term investment in vocational education. One challenger committed to making Madison Park the best vocational high school in the state under his administration, focusing on program quality and resources. Another candidate emphasized that stigma reduction and student inspiration must accompany capital investments in order to change outcomes and community perceptions.
Housing and homeownership
All candidates addressed housing, with particular attention to the racial homeownership gap in Boston. A challenger highlighted the city’s housing shortage and proposed increasing the supply of homes as a primary remedy. Other proposals discussed during the forum covered a range of policy approaches aimed at expanding access to affordable housing and narrowing disparities in homeownership by race.
Immigration and community safety
Support for immigrants facing deportation threats was a shared commitment among the candidates at the forum. The mayor framed immigration-related policy within a broader approach to making Boston a welcoming home for newcomers, drawing on personal background to inform that perspective. Each candidate described measures intended to protect immigrant families and ensure access to local services and legal resources.
Election context and logistics
The preliminary election on September 9 will reduce the field of four mayoral candidates to two finalists for the general election. Early voting began on August 30 and will run through September 5, providing additional opportunities for voters to cast ballots before election day.
Community response
Attendees included community leaders, faith organizations and students. One Boston University student said the forum helped clarify choices between candidates who had similar priorities, naming the event as influential in deciding between two contenders. Organizers noted the forum’s goal was to center issues of particular importance to Black voters and to facilitate direct communication of plans from candidates to community members.
Background
The mayoral race in Boston features candidates offering different blends of investments, policy reforms and community-based strategies. Vocational education, housing supply and immigrant protections have emerged as recurring themes during the campaign cycle, reflecting long-standing local concerns about equitable access to education, stable housing and civic inclusion.
Next steps
Voters can participate in early voting through September 5 or cast ballots on September 9 in the preliminary election. Two candidates will advance from the preliminary to the general election. Campaign events and additional forums remain scheduled as the campaign enters its final weeks before voters narrow the field.
FAQ
What was the purpose of the forum?
The forum was organized to give mayoral candidates an opportunity to outline policies and answers to concerns specifically important to Boston’s Black communities, including education, housing and immigrant protections.
Who attended the forum?
Incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu and challengers Josh Kraft and Domingos DaRosa participated. Robert Cappucci did not attend due to a family emergency but remains a candidate.
What major commitments were announced regarding Madison Park High School?
The incumbent pledged more than $700 million toward renovations of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. Other candidates emphasized improving the school’s program quality and addressing stigma around the institution.
How did candidates address housing?
Candidates discussed plans to increase housing supply, expand affordability measures and address the racial gap in homeownership through policies aimed at access and equity.
What are the key dates voters should know?
Early voting runs from August 30 through September 5. The preliminary election is scheduled for September 9, when the field will be narrowed from four candidates to two.
Will there be more forums?
Additional campaign events and forums are planned in the coming weeks; some candidates are scheduled to participate in another forum titled “The Final Word.”
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location of forum | Bethel AME Church, Jamaica Plain, Boston |
| Date relative to election | Held one week before preliminary election on September 9 |
| Participants | Michelle Wu, Josh Kraft, Domingos DaRosa (Robert Cappucci absent) |
| Key issues | Madison Park renovations, housing, immigration, racial homeownership gap |
| Madison Park commitment | Incumbent pledged over $700 million for renovations |
| Early voting | August 30 — September 5 |
| Preliminary election | September 9 (field reduced from four to two) |
| Forum organizers | Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and Black Ministerial Alliance TenPoint Coalition |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boston Mayoral Forums Set to Address Socioeconomic Issues
Boston Election Department Implements Major Changes Ahead of Preliminary Vote
Boston City Council Faces Controversy Amid Election Changes
Boston Mayoral Race Approaches Preliminary Election
Boston Prepares for Preliminary Municipal Election
Josh Kraft Accuses Wu Administration of Delaying Hearings Ahead of Election
Boston City Council to Address Public Health Emergency at Mass and Cass
Massachusetts Approves $15 Million for Housing Development
Boston Preliminary Mayoral Election Set for September 9
Mayor Michelle Wu Leads Josh Kraft in Boston’s Mayoral Race
Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Wikipedia: 2025 Boston Mayoral Election
- MassLive
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mayor
- Boston.com
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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