Boston, August 24, 2025
News Summary
At a forum in Boston, Robert Kraft defended his son Josh Kraft’s mayoral campaign amidst criticisms linking him to family wealth and political connections. Despite trailing incumbent Michelle Wu significantly in polls, Robert emphasized Josh’s commitment to community service and urged voters to focus on his son’s integrity rather than family ties. The discussion included issues of criminal justice reform and community equity, with Josh pledging to distance himself from conflicts of interest related to his family’s business.
Boston — Robert Kraft publicly defended his son, Josh Kraft, at a forum held at Roxbury Community College, dismissing efforts to frame the mayoral hopeful as an entitled heir or as defined by his family’s political connections. The appearance marked the first time Robert Kraft spoke publicly about his son’s bid for Boston mayor and came as Josh Kraft trails incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu by roughly 30 percentage points in recent polling ahead of the preliminary election on September 9.
Key details from the event
The forum featured a panel that included Robert Kraft, rapper Meek Mill and former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. Robert Kraft urged voters to evaluate Josh Kraft based on his record, integrity and community commitment rather than on assumptions tied to family wealth or political relationships. The discussion also addressed criminal justice issues, with participants sharing personal experiences and raising concerns about racial bias.
Campaign context and accusations
Josh Kraft’s campaign has faced criticism suggesting ties to President Donald Trump because of Robert Kraft’s longstanding friendship with Trump. Mayor Michelle Wu’s campaign has sought to link Josh Kraft to wealthy donors and to Trump supporters, pointing to campaign contributions that include donations from employees at the law firm Paul Weiss, which some tie to broader political networks. Mayor Wu has called on Josh Kraft to return the contributions linked to that firm, while Josh Kraft has declined to do so, saying the donor pool includes known Democratic contributors.
In response to concerns about conflicts of interest, Josh Kraft has attempted to distance himself from the family’s business interests, including the Kraft Group’s proposed soccer stadium in Everett, by committing to recuse himself from negotiations or decisions involving the project. His campaign also emphasizes policy priorities such as a proposed reentry plan for formerly incarcerated residents.
Candidate background
Josh Kraft’s public record includes longtime philanthropy and leadership roles in Boston-area community organizations. He previously led the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and later took on leadership at the New England Patriots Foundation. His campaign highlights community service and equity as guiding principles, and Josh Kraft has publicly criticized former President Trump while expressing support for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Robert Kraft’s role and criminal justice reform
Robert Kraft has been active in criminal justice reform efforts and is a co-founder of the REFORM Alliance, an organization advocating for changes in the justice system. His participation in the forum reiterated the family’s public engagement on justice issues and underscored the personal and policy-focused elements of Josh Kraft’s campaign.
Forum controversy and public reaction
The inclusion of Rachael Rollins on the panel drew controversy because of her past, prompting media and public attention that the campaign must address separately from policy debates. The presence of notable public figures like Meek Mill also amplified attention on the event and on the question of how endorsements or appearances shape voter perceptions.
Implications for the mayoral race
Robert Kraft’s public defense of his son may aim to counter narratives centered on family wealth and outside influence, but polling indicates Josh Kraft faces a significant gap against Mayor Wu. The campaign’s efforts to emphasize policy proposals, community leadership and recusal commitments are positioned to address concerns about conflicts of interest and donor influence. How voters weigh those factors against broader narratives about political connections and funding will shape the preliminary election outcome.
What to watch next
- Preliminary election on September 9.
- Any further statements or appearances by Robert Kraft on behalf of Josh Kraft.
- Responses from Mayor Wu’s campaign regarding campaign contributions and the Paul Weiss donations.
- Follow-up coverage and polling updates that measure shifts in voter support.
FAQ
- Who spoke in defense of Josh Kraft?
- Robert Kraft publicly defended his son at a forum at Roxbury Community College, urging voters to evaluate Josh Kraft by his record and community work rather than family ties.
- Where and when did the event take place?
- The forum occurred at Roxbury Community College and featured a panel that included Robert Kraft, Meek Mill and former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins.
- How is Josh Kraft positioned in current polls?
- Recent polling shows Josh Kraft trailing Mayor Michelle Wu by approximately 30 percentage points ahead of the preliminary election on September 9.
- What are the main criticisms against Josh Kraft’s campaign?
- Critics have sought to connect Josh Kraft to President Trump via his father’s friendship and have highlighted campaign contributions from employees at the law firm Paul Weiss. Opponents also characterize him as an entitled heir linked to wealthy donors.
- How has Josh Kraft responded to conflict-of-interest concerns?
- Josh Kraft has pledged to recuse himself from any negotiations concerning the Kraft Group’s proposed stadium in Everett and emphasizes policy priorities focused on equity and public safety, including a reentry plan for formerly incarcerated residents.
- Will Josh Kraft return contested campaign contributions?
- Josh Kraft has stated he will not return contributions flagged by his opponent, noting that some contributors are established Democratic donors.
- What role does criminal justice reform play in this discussion?
- Criminal justice reform is a shared element of the event and the Kraft family’s public work. Robert Kraft co-founded the REFORM Alliance, and the forum included discussions on racial bias and personal experiences with the justice system.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Forum at Roxbury Community College featuring Robert Kraft, Meek Mill and Rachael Rollins |
| Primary speaker defending candidate | Robert Kraft |
| Candidate | Josh Kraft, mayoral candidate |
| Polling gap | Approximately 30 points behind Mayor Michelle Wu |
| Preliminary election date | September 9 |
| Key policy focus | Reentry plan for formerly incarcerated residents; community equity and public safety |
| Conflict-of-interest issue | Proposed Kraft Group stadium in Everett; Josh Kraft pledged to recuse from related negotiations |
| Funding controversy | Campaign contributions include donations from employees at Paul Weiss; calls from opponent to return contributions |
| Criminal justice reform connection | Robert Kraft co-founded the REFORM Alliance; forum included discussions on reform and racial bias |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boston Mayoral Election 2025: Candidates and Key Issues
Will Onuoha Promises Transformative Housing and Education Solutions
Massachusetts Faces $94 Million Funding Gap for K-12 Schools
Josh Kraft Accuses Mayor Michelle Wu of False Claims
Mayor Wu Challenges Kraft for Financial Transparency in Mayoral Race
Michelle Wu Leads Josh Kraft in Boston Mayor Race
Michelle Wu Maintains Strong Lead in Boston Mayoral Race
Josh Kraft Proposes New Reentry Program for Formerly Incarcerated
Boston Mayoral Election: Wu vs. Kraft
Josh Kraft Proposes Comprehensive Reentry Plan for Returning Citizens
Additional Resources
- Boston Herald: Robert Kraft Boosts Josh Kraft’s Bid for Mayor
- Boston.com: Wu & Kraft on Trump Contributions
- Bloomberg: Josh Kraft Attempts to Bridge Polling Gap
- NBC Boston: 2025 Boston Mayoral Election Voter’s Guide
- Boston Globe: Kraft Family and Criminal Justice Reform
- Wikipedia: Criminal Justice Reform
- Google Search: Josh Kraft Boston Mayor
- Google Scholar: Josh Kraft Politics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Josh Kraft
- Google News: Boston Mayoral Race 2025
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.
