Needham, Massachusetts, September 3, 2025
News Summary
Boston will host two live mayoral forums featuring the leading candidates on September 3 from 7 to 8 p.m. The discussions will tackle key socioeconomic issues such as housing, public safety, and immigration before the primary election on September 9. Each candidate will engage in separate 30-minute discussions, moderated by Latoyia Edwards and featuring notable panelists. The forums will be streamed live, ensuring accessibility for all voters.
Boston — A pair of live mayoral forums featuring the top two polling candidates in the Boston mayoral race will be held on September 3, 2025, from 7 to 8 p.m. The events are scheduled to take place at the NBCUniversal Boston Media Center in Needham, Massachusetts, with each candidate participating in a separate 30-minute panel discussion addressing major socioeconomic issues ahead of the September 9 primary election.
What is happening and why it matters
The two leading candidates in public, independent polls between June 24 and August 1, 2025 will appear in televised forums intended to give voters a direct view of candidates’ positions on housing, public safety, immigration and education before ballots are cast. The forums will offer voters opportunities to compare policy priorities and proposed actions in a focused format shortly before the primary.
Format, schedule and access
Each candidate will join a 30-minute panel discussion within the one-hour block. Forums will be moderated by news anchor Latoyia Edwards and will include notable panelists such as Imari Paris Jeffries, Ph.D. (president and CEO of Embrace Boston), Nicole Obi (president and CEO of BECMA), and political reporter Matt Prichard. The events will be streamed live across major streaming platforms, station websites and mobile apps, and will also be available on YouTube. A Spanish-language version of the forum is scheduled to air on September 6 at 11 a.m.
Accessibility and attendance
No live audience will be present at the broadcast site. Limited guest credentials will be made available for campaign staff and media. Broadcasts will include Spanish translations for Spanish-speaking audiences and closed captioning for the hearing impaired to improve accessibility.
Panel topics and candidate focus
Panel discussions will focus on pressing local concerns identified by voters, including housing affordability and development, neighborhood safety, school conditions and immigration. Candidate positions summarized from recent events and forums show the incumbent emphasizing protection of immigrant families from federal immigration threats and a welcoming-city approach, while the primary challenger highlights a detailed housing plan as well as proposed investments in streets, schools and public safety. Other candidates who have spoken publicly on the campaign trail have urged humane approaches to immigration and increased supports for families facing deportation. The candidates have also pledged to pursue renovations at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.
Context and recent campaign activity
An earlier, community-focused forum held at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain addressed issues such as immigration, housing and the current condition of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. One candidate missed that event due to a family emergency but remains on the ballot for the September 9 primary. Early voting for the primary began on August 30 and will continue through September 5, providing voters options to cast ballots before primary day.
How the top candidates were chosen
The two participants were identified using an average of public, independent polls conducted by professional polling organizations between June 24 and August 1, 2025. That averaging method determined the top two polling candidates eligible for the televised forums.
What to expect on forum night
Viewers should expect structured, time-limited discussions focused on specific topics important to Boston residents. The separate panels aim to let each candidate present detailed views and plans without a live audience. The broadcasts will include language support and closed captioning to increase reach within multilingual and disability communities.
Next steps for voters
Voters who wish to see candidate positions before the primary can watch the live streams on the scheduled date and review the Spanish-language version the following weekend. Early voting remains available through September 5, and the primary election will be held on September 9, 2025.
FAQ
When are the mayoral forums?
The forums will take place on September 3, 2025, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Who will participate?
The two top-polling candidates identified by averaged independent polls conducted between June 24 and August 1, 2025, will each appear in separate 30-minute panels. Additional mayoral candidates remain on the ballot for the primary.
Where will the forums be held and how can I watch?
The forums will be hosted at the NBCUniversal Boston Media Center in Needham and will be streamed live across major streaming platforms, station websites and mobile apps, and made available on YouTube. A Spanish-language version is scheduled to air on September 6 at 11 a.m.
Will there be an audience?
No. There will be no live audience. Limited guest credentials will be provided to campaign staff and media.
Are translations and captions available?
Yes. The broadcasts will include Spanish translations and closed captioning.
When does early voting end and when is the primary?
Early voting runs through September 5, 2025. The primary election is on September 9, 2025.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Forum date and time | September 3, 2025, 7:00–8:00 p.m. (each candidate in a 30-minute panel) |
| Location | NBCUniversal Boston Media Center, Needham, MA |
| How to watch | Live streams via major streaming platforms, station websites and apps; available on YouTube; Spanish-language broadcast on September 6 at 11:00 a.m. |
| Moderator and panelists | Moderator: Latoyia Edwards. Panelists include Imari Paris Jeffries, Ph.D.; Nicole Obi; and political reporter Matt Prichard. |
| Audience | No live audience. Limited credentials for campaign staff and media. |
| Accessibility | Spanish translations and closed captioning provided |
| How candidates were selected | Average of independent public polls conducted between June 24 and August 1, 2025 |
| Early voting | August 30 – September 5, 2025 |
| Primary election | September 9, 2025 |
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston: Boston Mayors Forum
- Boston Globe: Wu-Kraft Mayoral Forum
- Boston.com: Takeaways from the First Candidate Forum
- WCVB: Boston Mayoral Candidates Community Forum
- MassLive: Boston Mayoral Candidates Clash in First Forum
- Wikipedia: Boston Mayor
- Google Search: Boston Mayoral Race 2025
- Google Scholar: Boston Mayoral Debates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston
- Google News: Boston Mayoral Candidates
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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