Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden endorsed Mayor Michelle Wu in her reelection bid Monday morning, lauding their “strong partnership” in making the city safer.
“The kind of leadership that Michelle Wu provides — dynamic, collaborative — is so very important,” Hayden said Monday. “She stands for equal justice and a deep commitment to justice for all, and her steadfast dedication to the public’s welfare is second to none. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot of work to be done, and I know that the mayor and I both don’t feel no ways tired. I can’t think of a better partner to keep moving this city forward.”
The DA came out in favor of Wu at a campaign event in Hyde Park on Monday, joining endorsements from Rep. Ayanna Pressley, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, five SEIU locals, and more.
Wu officially announced her bid for a second term in March and currently faces Josh Kraft, son of billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head of Kraft Family Philanthropies; community activist Domingos DaRosa; and City Hall employee Kerry Augustin.
Despite the glowing endorsement Monday, the mayor and Hayden have not always stood on the same side in local elections.
In the most recent 2022 district attorney race, Wu initially endorsed Hayden’s opponent, former City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo. Wu rescinded her endorsement following sexual misconduct allegations against Arroyo, but at the same time, she expressed “serious concerns” with Hayden and later stated she still voted for the councilor.
Wu thanked the DA for his endorsement Monday, calling him a “critical pillar” in making communities safer and praising their regular partnership.
Hayden highlighted recent success in making Boston the “safest city in America,” noting the homicide rate is at a low not “seen in over 60 years,” and gun violence and violent crime is “down.”
“The mayor and I have been in this together 100%, doing the work,” Hayden said. “We tackled the opioid crisis with compassion and accountability. We focused on the root causes of what causes crime and death and does not enhance public safety from the very beginning, and we will continue to do so.”