Boston 2025 Mayoral Race: Wu vs. Kraft Clash Over Housing, Safety, and City’s Future

1. Housing: The Heat Is On

Housing in Boston is a full-blown crisis—and voters are watching closely to see who’s got a real plan to fix it.

Mayor Michelle Wu is campaigning hard on her housing record, proudly pointing out that her administration has created more affordable housing than any since 1998. Her 2023 rent control proposal gained traction with the City Council but fizzled at the state legislature.

Wu’s not shy about criticizing her opponent, either. When Josh Kraft introduced his own rent control plan, she dismissed it as a “fake rent control” scheme. Why? Kraft’s version is voluntary for landlords and relies on property tax incentives to get them on board.

But Kraft isn’t backing down. He says his three-part plan is designed to be pragmatic and effective:

• Fast-track housing production by cutting red tape.

• Opt-in rent control that balances tenant rights and landlord cooperation.

• Reinvest new tax revenue to help first-time homebuyers finally land a place in the city.

If housing is your number one issue, you’ve got two very different paths to consider.

2. Immigration: Defending the Dream

This one’s personal for many Bostonians.

Mayor Wu continues to defend the Boston Trust Act, often referred to as the city’s “sanctuary” policy. She credits it with helping build trust between residents and law enforcement, especially in immigrant communities.

Josh Kraft, meanwhile, agrees with Wu on this one—at least publicly. He’s voiced strong opposition to Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans and says he supports the Trust Act. Still, some voters might raise an eyebrow over his last name. While Josh insists he never donated to Trump, his father’s well-known associations with the former president might come back to haunt him politically.

Immigration might not be the headline-grabbing issue of this race, but make no mistake: in a city like Boston, it absolutely matters.

3. Infrastructure: Lanes, Gridlock & Growing Pains

Ask 10 Bostonians about bike lanes, and you’ll probably get 15 opinions. Infrastructure has become one of the race’s most emotionally charged battlegrounds.

Wu has been a loud and proud advocate of bike infrastructure, but even she’s had to pump the brakes lately. After criticism from cyclists, bus riders, and residents alike, her administration recently:

• Removed barriers from some protected bike lanes.

• Backed off a new bus lane project.

• Launched a full three-year review of all recent street changes.

Josh Kraft, sensing an opportunity, has made this a cornerstone of his campaign. His take? The city's gone too far, too fast. He’s calling for an “immediate pause” on any new bike lanes, arguing that the city’s priorities are out of balance.

If you’re someone stuck in Boston traffic every day, this issue might hit close to home.

4. Public Safety: A Tale of Two Approaches

Few locations stir debate like Mass. and Cass, Boston’s infamous intersection that’s become a flashpoint in the city’s homelessness and substance abuse crises.

Mayor Wu took decisive action shortly after taking office, dismantling a large homeless encampment and then repeating the effort in 2023. She emphasized connecting individuals to housing, mental health resources, and recovery services, aligning with “harm reduction” strategies.

Josh Kraft? He’s not buying it. He says Wu’s approach has been a failure and proposes a more aggressive plan involving increased police presence and a move away from harm reduction. To him, safety has to come first—then services.

This difference may be one of the clearest divides between the two candidates, and it could sway undecided voters looking for a sense of urgency in dealing with Boston’s most visible problems.

Let’s Not Forget: Politics Meets Personality

Aside from policy, there’s another fascinating dynamic at play—personality and background.

• Wu, the polished incumbent, has four years of mayoral experience under her belt and the loyalty of many progressive voters.

• Kraft, meanwhile, may be a political newcomer, but he’s no stranger to leadership. With three decades at the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, including 12 years as CEO, he knows how to navigate big systems—and build community trust.

Still, his last name cuts both ways. On one hand, it’s powerful. On the other, in deeply blue Boston, his family’s past connections to Trump might give progressives pause.

Preliminary Round: Mark Your Calendar

Boston’s nonpartisan preliminary election will whittle the race down to two candidates on September 9, with the general election on November 4 aligning with the 2025 Boston City Council races. That means this is more than just a mayor’s race—it’s a referendum on the city’s direction as a whole.

What's At Stake? Everything.

From housing affordability to public safety and transit infrastructure, the 2025 Boston mayoral election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory. The choice is clear—but not necessarily easy.

• Do you side with Mayor Wu, who promises continued progressive reforms and points to her record as proof of her commitment?

• Or are you leaning toward Josh Kraft, who’s pledging a fresh take and practical fixes for everyday problems?

It’s not just a question of who’s right—it’s a matter of what kind of Boston you want to live in.

✅ Quick Recap: The Hot Issues

• Housing: Wu = progressive action; Kraft = voluntary control + tax incentives.

• Immigration: Both back Boston’s Trust Act, but Kraft’s family ties raise eyebrows.

• Infrastructure: Wu re-evaluates past changes; Kraft hits pause on new lanes.

• Public Safety: Wu = harm reduction; Kraft = more enforcement.