Josh Kraft, the son of billionaire Robert Kraft and president of the New England Patriots Foundation, is expected to officially kick off his campaign for mayor of Boston. As a Democrat, Kraft aims to leverage his high-profile presence in Boston’s charitable circles to challenge incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu.
Born and raised in Chestnut Hill, Kraft graduated from Williams College and started working as an outreach worker for the Boys & Girls Club. Eventually, he took over the Boys & Girls Club in Chelsea and led efforts to expand it to a new facility. In 2008, he became president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, where he remained until 2020 when he took over his family’s Patriots Foundation, which donates millions to various organizations annually.
With his decades of philanthropy and recognizable family name, Kraft aims to bring his vision to the city of Boston. While his political views are not entirely clear, he has donated to both local and national Democrats as well as conservative Republicans for their support of Israel. Kraft has expressed concern about growing antisemitism in progressive politics, drawing a contrast between himself and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
However, Kraft’s ties to his family’s business empire could raise questions about potential conflicts of interest if elected. Additionally, he will face a formidable opponent in Wu, who has support from various groups but also has her own vulnerabilities. Despite these challenges, Kraft is set to lay out his vision for Boston as he embarks on his campaign for mayor.
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