Josh Kraft Suspends Boston Mayoral Campaign, Effectively Handing Re-election to Michelle Wu
Josh Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has ended his campaign for Boston mayor, conceding defeat after a significant loss to incumbent Michelle Wu in the preliminary election. Kraft announced his decision on Thursday, citing concerns about the negativity of the remaining campaign and his desire to make a greater impact outside of the mayoral race.
Kraft's Campaign Struggles
Despite entering the race with substantial financial backing and initial enthusiasm, Kraft's campaign struggled to gain traction with Boston voters. His platform, largely focused on criticizing Wu's policies, failed to resonate. He also suffered from several missteps, including unauthorized fundraising using prominent Democrats' names. The preliminary election results saw Wu garner 72% of the vote compared to Kraft's 23%.
The Cost of Votes: Kraft vs. Wu
The campaign spending reveals a stark contrast between the two candidates. Kraft's campaign spent nearly $5.6 million through early September, translating to approximately $262 per vote. In contrast, Wu's campaign spent around $1.12 million, or $16.85 per vote. This highlights the significant financial advantage Kraft possessed, yet it ultimately failed to translate into electoral success.
Campaign Finance and Super PAC Influence
The Boston mayoral race has been marked by record-breaking campaign spending. Kraft personally contributed $5.5 million to his campaign. Super PACs also played a role, with "Your City, Your Future," supporting Kraft, spending over $3.1 million and "Bold Boston," supporting Wu, spending over $853,000. The large sums involved emphasize the growing influence of money in local elections.
Wu's Dominance and Future Outlook
With Kraft withdrawing from the race, Michelle Wu is all but assured a second term as Boston mayor. Her campaign effectively countered Kraft's financial advantage by focusing on grassroots support and highlighting his relatively recent move to Boston. Wu criticized Kraft's spending, stating that her victory was by "a margin money can’t buy."