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Having recently been dubbed a “young-ish Democrat to watch,” Wu, a mother of three, is now set to serve the next four years as mayor.
Running unopposed, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu officially secured her second term Tuesday night as she continues to dominate city politics and gain national prominence.
Wu, a 40-year-old mother of three, handily defeated opponent Josh Kraft in September by nearly 50 points, and he dropped out shortly after. She ran unopposed in November’s election.
Wu’s campaign began on the national stage earlier this year as she testified to Congress about Boston’s sanctuary policies — with an ash cross on her forehead and her newborn daughter, Mira, in tow. Wu was widely lauded for her testimony, where she touted the city’s low homicide rate and pushed back on President Donald Trump’s immigration claims.
Wu, the first woman and person of color to be elected mayor of Boston, then staved off a well-funded opposition from Kraft, who criticized the mayor’s handling of the homelessness crisis and attacked her plan to renovate White Stadium in Franklin Park.
Her four years as mayor have seen some return on her lofty campaign proposals from 2021. She has made some of the busiest bus lines in the city, mostly in Dorchester, fare-free through 2026. A promise to pursue rent stabilization turned into a home-rule petition in 2023 that the mayor and the City Council sent to the legislature in 2023.
Wu maintained her popularity as well, holding a 66 percent favorability rating in July amid back-and-forth jabs between her and Kraft. The poll showed that 65 percent approved of the job she has done as mayor.
Throughout her campaign, Wu has emerged as a national Democratic voice against the Trump administration – including as a “young-ish” new Democrat to watch, per New York Magazine on Monday, with the magazine citing her municipal Green New Deal.
Despite her growing national profile, her next four years will be in Boston. With her victory assured Tuesday night, Wu is joining her allies running for reelection this year — City Council President Ruthzee Loujieune and first-time At-Large Councilor Henry Santana — at Seaport restaurant Grace by Nia for an election night party.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, a longtime Wu ally, congratulated Wu’s “decisive re-election.”
“Mayor Wu is leading our city through consequential times with clear vision and standing firm in defense of our neighbors,” Pressley said in a statement. “The Mayor ran a grassroots, people-powered campaign and earned strong support in every neighborhood of Boston.”
Santana may be vulnerable to a challenge from former City Councilor Frank Baker. In September, Wu-alum Henry Santana came in fourth place with 12.51 percent of the vote, while Baker trailed him in fifth with 10.79% of the at-large votes.
Follow Boston.com’s election coverage for live results Tuesday night.
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