Son of Patriots owner exits Boston mayoral race after primary loss
Philanthropist Josh Kraft has ended his campaign for mayor of Boston after being soundly defeated in a preliminary election against incumbent Michelle Wu.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (pictured at a hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. in March) scored 66,398 votes in the election results held Tuesday, to philanthropist Josh Kraft's 21,324. Kraft suspended his campaign Thursday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI UPI
Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Philanthropist Josh Kraft has ended his campaign for mayor of Boston after being soundly defeated in a preliminary election against incumbent Michelle Wu.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to suspend my candidacy for mayor of Boston," he wrote in a letter Thursday evening. "This campaign has never been about speeches or social media posts, talking points or talking heads. It has never been about Josh Kraft or Michelle Wu."
"This campaign has always been about the future of Boston," he continued.
Kraft, the son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, was stymied at the polls as fellow Democrat Wu scored 66,398 votes in the election results held Tuesday, to Kraft's 21,324, according to Ballotpedia.
The other two candidates in the primary, Domingos DaRosa and Robert Cappucci, received 2,409 and 2,074, respectively.
"I respect Josh's decision and thank him for caring about our city deeply enough to want to make it better," Wu responded in a statement. "We are going to continue over the next two months and beyond to keep engaging our community members about the critical work in front of us and how we keep making Boston a safe, welcoming home for everyone."
Kraft entered the race in February and has never held public office. He has most notably managed the philanthropic efforts of his family.
He stated that he will use his remaining campaign resources to partner with charitable organizations to work toward helping the humanitarian crisis at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, known locally as "Mass and Cass," as well as toward the revitalization of the Operation Exit program that provides employment opportunities for previously incarcerated people.
Kraft closed his announcement by thanking his family and supporters.
"You reminded me every day why this city is worth fighting for," he concluded. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
