Bios, Not Policies, Define Boston Mayoral Race
In Boston’s mayoral race, policy isn’t what divides the candidates. It’s their life stories. Michelle Wu, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, moved to Boston to attend Harvard University. She worked her way through a mayoral administration, federal senate campaigns, and the city council, before becoming mayor. Josh Kraft is the son of Patriots owner, Bob Kraft, and has led philanthropic and non-profit organizations over the course of his career. So while the policy overlaps are strong, their personal stories are quite different.
Reporting from WBUR (Feb. 5, 2025), The Dorchester Reporter (June 12, 2025), Boston.gov, and WCVB (Sept. 3, 2025) shows that both candidates share a progressive stance. On housing, both support rent caps. Wu wants to make them mandatory, while Kraft suggests they be optional, and rewarding rent caps with tax breaks. Both candidates want better public transportation for Boston. Wu rolled out an extensive bike lane program and piloted free train rides, while Kraft wanted to pause the bike program and focus on streamlining bus and train systems. Finally, both candidates believe in community engagement in public safety, with enhanced policing at Mass and Cass (the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, a hub for the city’s homelessness and opioid crises), as well as programs for struggling communities, like work re-entry and substance abuse recovery programs. Where differences lie, they are in implementation, rather than goals.
The overlap isn’t accidental, it reflects Boston’s political culture. According to Massachusetts electrician statistics, Harris won 76% of the vote in Boston in the 2024 presidential election, making it one of the most Democratic voting major cities. Even statewide, all of the state's U.S. representatives and senators are Democrats, and Democrats form the large majority of the state's legislature, according to Boston.gov. It makes good sense for any candidate to adopt a progressive stance if they plan to win office.
Because voters can’t distinguish them much on policy, biography becomes the deciding factor. Wu is the first person of color, the first woman, and the youngest Boston mayor in a century. She did not come from means, but worked her way through school while supporting her family. In contrast Josh Kraft was born into a wealthy family and used his position to give back to the community, leading his family’s philanthropic organization, the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, and most recently the National Urban League's Eastern Massachusetts. Over the past 35 years he has dedicated himself to working with our communities, creating partnerships with over 200 programs throughout Boston and Chelsea. Both candidates have records of service, but through different avenues.
With policies so similar, Boston voters face a different kind of choice, which leader’s background, values, and approach are best to lead our city forward? That decision is why your vote still matters.
Sources: https://electionstats.state.ma.us/