It has been a rough few weeks for now former mayoral candidate and philanthropist Josh Kraft. In August, he parted ways with top campaign advisers. A reported $5.5 million of his personal money was invested into his campaign, averaging about $262 per vote, compared to incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu, who spent roughly $17 per vote. On Thursday, September 11, after a crushing defeat in the preliminary election, he decided to suspend his campaign for mayor.

“I got into this to make an impact, as I’ve done my whole life, build a sense of community to make change for the greater good,” Kraft told WCVB 5. “When I kept looking at the next eight weeks, the negativity, and all that it was going to be about. I realized, wow, I can do more. I can make a better impact for the residents of the city of Boston.” 

Kraft has committed to diverting the remaining $3 million of campaign funds to support the solutions at Mass & Cass and re-energize Operation Exit, a program that helps people transitioning out of incarceration with career development.

In a statement from her office, Wu said she respected Kraft’s decision to withdraw and thanked him for his care and concern in improving the city. 

“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,” she said.

After hours, Wu was spotted celebrating with Councilor Sharon Durkan at The Tip Tap Room on Beacon Hill. A video of former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight-end Rob Gronkowski looking sassily into the camera to Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.” was posted to the mayor’s Instagram. “Still here,” it reads.

Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune called Kraft’s decision to step aside wise. “Mayor Wu’s lead was insurmountable, and no amount of money can change who the residents want steering our city forward. I thank him for his ongoing contributions to our city,” she said.

“I respect Josh Kraft’s decision to end his campaign for mayor and appreciate his willingness to put his name on the ballot and lend his ideas to help make Boston a better city,” said District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn. “I know he loves this city and the people throughout its neighborhoods. I know Josh will stay involved to help youth throughout the city, providing returning citizens with an opportunity to lead a positive life and support nonprofits that help to build healthy families and communities.”

Not all comments were so kind, however. TheRealBostonMedia, Boston’s “#1 Social Media account for memes, news, and content around the city,” made several posts teasing Kraft and his supporters.

“I still can’t believe he spent 5.5 million of his [own] money, then had $3.1 million from PACs and still lost by 50%. Almost 10 million in campaign money and it did nothing lmao just drop out atp and give the remaining to the Boys and Girls Club,” read one post to X.

“Somebody check on @AntiWuCoalition,” read another.

In a statement to Caught In Southie, a representative from TheRealBostonMedia said Kraft’s withdrawal came as no surprise to their organization. 

“I believe his team had all hands on deck with their 8.6 million dollar marketing plan, and to see themselves still down 20% I’m sure didn’t look good to not only his team, but from those who have endorsed/invested in him. From his announcement, it sounds like he’s done with his candidacy, but I’m sure his work within the community is far from over.”

Fellow former candidate Alex Alex said he was incredulous and annoyed but not surprised by Kraft’s announcement. “How much money has been spent in this election cycle, individually and collectively, to plaster [the candidates’] names all over the city? ” he asked. “That money could still have been used to campaign, but through city improvement projects instead of adverts. Show the residents in real time how you materially manage resources to solve problems, innovate, and push our city forward.”

Alex thinks Kraft failed to resonate with voters because he lacked specificity and occasionally even contradicted one policy with another. 

“Most of what he said was inoffensive or generally had popular support, but he gave no concrete steps to achieve those things. He didn’t have the history of being able to deliver the kind of changes he promised,” Alex said. “A really basic example was his school policy. It said he would reduce traffic to ensure buses were on time and parents doing drop-off weren’t late. But no plans for how to achieve that. In fact, he went the opposite, arguing for the removal of bike/bus lanes.”

Alex applauded Kraft’s decision to funnel remaining campaign funds toward supporting solutions for Mass & Cass, but was critical that ending the campaign moments after the preliminary election had relegated community organizer Domingos DaRosa to a write-in candidate.

In order to fill Kraft’s slot, DaRosa needs to gather 1000 signatures, 50 from each ward, by 9 a.m. Monday — a tall order for a candidate who brought in 2,409 votes in the first place.

Wu is currently the only name on the ballot for the municipal election on November 4. The deadline for voter registration is October 25, with early voting taking place between then and October 31.