Son of billionaire Patriots owner Josh Kraft drops out of Boston mayor’s race against Michelle Wu

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu smiles after voting at a polling place, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu smiles after voting at a polling place, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Share This Article

Son of billionaire Patriots owner Josh Kraft announced Thursday that he is dropping out Boston’s mayoral election, in which he was set to battle incumbent Michelle Wu in November. He announced the move on WCVB-TV. Kraft and Wu had bested two challengers to advance during a preliminary election Tuesday. Despite spending millions of his own money on the race, Kraft struggled to find a message that would resonate with voters amid the popularity of Wu, who is Boston’s first female and Asian mayor and has been bolstered in part by her defense of the city against the Trump administration.

BOSTON (AP) — Josh Kraft, the son of the New England Patriots’ owner, announced Thursday he is dropping his bid to unseat Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, days after advancing to the November ballot.

He announced the move on WCVB-TV after Kraft and Wu bested two challengers to advance during a preliminary election Tuesday.

Despite spending millions of his own money on the race, Kraft struggled to find a message that would resonate with voters amid the popularity of Wu. She is Boston’s first female and Asian mayor and has been bolstered in part by her defense of the city against the Trump administration.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, target of the Trump administration, will face Josh Kraft in fall election

[AP Video: Contact your AP representative for access]

Trump adversary Michelle Wu and son of Patriots owner Kraft compete to advance in Boston mayor race

[AP Video: Contact your AP representative for access]