Philanthropist Josh Kraft formally began his campaign for Boston’s 2025 mayoral election Feb. 4, challenging current Mayor Michelle Wu, who is expected to run for reelection. Wu is well regarded by citizens and has the advantage as incumbent mayor, making the road to victory a difficult one for Kraft. 

Kraft released the first video of his campaign on Feb. 4, highlighting his work as president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and volunteer board chair of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. If elected, Josh Kraft would be the first Jewish mayor of Boston. 

Despite his philanthropic contributions, Boston residents expressed concerns about his family’s wealth. Josh Kraft is the son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who has a net worth of $11.8 billion as of Feb. 8. 

“I just don’t know how much in common he has with the common man,” said Meredith Somers, a writer and Fenway resident.

Josh Kraft is now the president of the New England Patriots Foundation, one of many nonprofit organizations established by his father in 1994. 

“I don’t know much about his upbringing, whether Robert came from money or whether he kind of bootstrapped it, but I know he’s been very successful, and his kids have kind of taken over the legacy,” said Jed Drake, an East Boston resident who works in finance. 

Robert Kraft’s career began in the paper and packaging industry with Rand-Whitney, a company he later acquired. He built his wealth through the paper commodity business, investments and sports team ownership. Josh Kraft aims to distance his campaign from his last name and focus on his history of service.

“In general, I’m not a fan of the aristocratic class that has formed in America, the fact that we have billionaires running most government institutions,” said Eric Hryniewicz, a New Bedford resident. 

Kraft is running a platform centered around affordable housing, improving education and fixing the transportation problem by reducing bike and bus lanes, as detailed in his announcement speech. 

“My take is that a son of a large owner of a corporation such as the New England Patriots shouldn’t be running our city,” said Cole Cochrane, a second-year government and economics major at Harvard University. “It’s people with lived experiences or stakeholders [that should be].” 

Kraft is likely running against the incumbent mayor who became the first person of color and the first woman to be elected as mayor of Boston in 2021. 

Wu’s campaign platform is focused on affordable housing, education equity, the racial wealth gap and transportation. 

“I think Michelle Wu is doing a great job,” said Victoria Lee, who works in software and has lived in Brookline for 20 years. “There’s a lot to work on and she’s doing the work. I think it takes a little more time for us to see the fruits of her labor.” 

Though many residents are critical of the Kraft family’s wealth, others don’t want to count Kraft out as mayor just yet. Thomas Hammond, a first-year economics and business administration combined major at Northeastern, views the two candidates as being equally strong in their effectiveness. 

“There’s the argument that’s why would you vote someone out [of office] when you’re going to vote someone in who’s going to do basically the same thing,” Hammond said.

Though many people who spoke with The Huntington News viewed Kraft unfavorably, he still serves to put up a fight against Wu for the next mayoral election. 

“I have been very fortunate in my life. In fact, I wasn’t just born on third base, I was born at home plate,” said Josh Kraft in his announcement speech. “But I chose a career of community service — and along the way, I’ve met so many remarkable and resilient people that call Boston home.”