Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Here’s how Mayor Wu responded to Josh Kraft’s campaign launch
Mayor Wu is both gearing up for a competitive race against Kraft and preparing to testify before Congress about Boston's "sanctuary" policies.
Mayor Michelle Wu took time Wednesday morning to respond to some of the criticisms thrown at her by Josh Kraft, who announced his bid to unseat the mayor this week.
Boston politics:
Appearing on the “Java with Jimmy” program, Wu also commented on her decision to testify before Congress about Boston’s immigration policies later this year.
Kraft is the son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft and a longtime philanthropic leader in Boston. Despite leading the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and the New England Patriots Foundation, Kraft has never held elected office.
Wu made sure to mention that she has spent 12 years “in the trenches,” first as a City Council member and now as mayor. Without mentioning Kraft by name, she seemingly took a swipe at him for not having firsthand knowledge of how the city government operates from the inside.
Advertisement:
“It’s actually easy to say the right words,” Wu said.
The complicated part, she added, is actually moving things forward in a way that is both responsive to the community and exhibits a sense of urgency.
“It’s a really complex and beautiful thing that’s called democracy. There’s nothing like it. It’s different from the private sector, it’s different from philanthropy,” Wu said.
Kraft accused Wu of being out of touch with the community and acting “as if she alone has all the answers.” He emphasized education, transportation and housing as key areas of focus, floating a plan to cut real estate taxes for building owners in exchange for the ability to cap increases in rent over a 10-year period.
Advertisement:
“A good landlord tax break is not the same as rent control,” Wu said.
Kraft reportedly moved to the North End recently and only registered to vote in Boston in fall 2023.
“I’m a little surprised that someone who’s never even voted for mayor or city councilor before in Boston feels like he’s ready to lead the city,” Wu told reporters Tuesday, per The Boston Globe.
As she ramps up her reelection campaign, which has yet to be formally announced, the mayor appears to be ready for a fight both at home and on the national stage. This was most evident when Wu was asked whether she had any regrets about things that happened during her first three years in office.
Wu said she had placed too much trust in lawmakers and business groups during last year’s failed effort to pass a plan aimed at preventing homeowners from seeing a large spike in their property taxes. She is trying to pass a similar proposal again this year.
“I believed them. That was my mistake,” she said. “We should have just kept up the pressure. We didn’t end up doing town halls in every single neighborhood because we came to a deal and I thought there was a sense of trust there… It turns out that that wasn’t the case and we should have not believed anything and just kept fighting. We’re still fighting now.”
Advertisement:
Another fight will soon take place in Washington, D.C. Wu was one of four mayors called to testify to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Feb. 11 about so-called “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation between local police and federal immigration enforcement officers. Wu said this week that she plans to testify, but is asking for more time due to the recent birth of her third child. A specific date has not yet been set for her testimony.
Wu said that sending someone to go in her place or refusing to cooperate would not have been an adequate response. She wants to personally tell members of Congress about how Boston can maintain remarkable safety without being hostile to immigrants.
“Boston is going to be there to defend who we are as a community,” she said. “We have a real story to tell there. And I’m going to stand up for our city no matter what it takes.”
Other responses to Kraft
There are still many months to go before Election Day, and most elected officials in Boston seem to be hesitant to wade into the fray so early. An exception is Councilor Sharon Durkan, who said Wednesday that she was officially endorsing Wu.
Advertisement:
“For over a decade, Mayor Wu has answered the call—every day, for every neighborhood. And most importantly for District 8, she answers my calls. Her partnership has been critical in delivering real results, from the West End and Beacon Hill to Back Bay, Fenway, and Mission Hill. Working alongside her is a true partnership—rooted in trust, collaboration, and a shared vision for a city that puts its residents first,” Durkan said in a statement to Boston.com.
“Meanwhile, Josh Kraft is full of critiques but empty on solutions,” Durkan continued. “What’s his plan? Housing? Where was he when development proposals needed support or zoning reforms were on the table? He’s been absent from every conversation that shapes this city, yet now he wants to lead it. Bostonians know real leadership when they see it.”
Councilor Erin Murphy, who has occasionally clashed with Wu, said that she has seen the administration ignore community voices and input from City Council. She said she was excited to see a competitive race.
“Anyone who feels they can better serve our city should run, and I welcome a competitive race that challenges all candidates to engage with residents, answer tough questions, and offer real solutions. The people of Boston deserve leadership that listens, and I look forward to the dialogue this race will bring,” Murphy said in a statement.
Councilor John FitzGerald said that he is focusing on his own bid for reelection and the concerns of his constituents.
Advertisement:
“There’s still important work to be done to address the challenges facing our neighborhoods, and my focus remains on delivering real results for the people I represent,” he said in a statement.
Councilor Julia Mejia struck a similar tone.
“Regardless of who is in the Mayor’s office, my purpose on the City Council is to work collaboratively with the administration while also holding them accountable to those we serve,” Mejia said in a statement. “Right now, I remain focused on running my own race and advocating on behalf of my constituents.”
Councilor Henry Santana did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday, but defended himself and attacked Kraft on social media after Kraft brought him into the debate about voting records in the city.
Councilor Liz Breadon said she had no comment on Kraft’s campaign. The other seven councilors did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com