Longtime philanthropist Josh Kraft has notched his first major endorsement since launching his campaign for Boston mayor against the incumbent Michelle Wu, who has benefited from a slew of endorsements in recent weeks.
Kraft’s campaign announced today that the first-time political candidate has scored a key union endorsement from the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA), comprising 18 Boston locals that collectively represent 700 members.
His campaign also announced the backing of the New England Dock and Marine Council, which represents 14 ILA locals and other union affiliates in New England — which brings an additional 600 members who joined the Boston locals in their backing of the son of the billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
“As a union that stands for the rights, dignity and well-being of working families, we recognize the importance of strong leadership that not only envisions a brighter future for our city, but also takes action to make it a reality,” Bernie O’Donnell, ILA International vice president, said in a statement of the decision to back Kraft.
“Boston deserves a leader who not only sees its potential but also where things are moving in the wrong direction,” O’Donnell said. “We believe Josh Kraft is that leader and ready to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Boston.”
George McEvoy, ILA Atlantic Coast District vice president, in a statement, touted Kraft’s “work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston — both as a leader and on a day-to-day basis — as a contributing factor leading to the endorsement.
Kraft’s work at the Boys & Girls Club, where he spent 12 years as president and CEO, “has meaningfully changed lives by providing young people with opportunities, mentorship and a safe place to grow,” McEvoy said.
“Josh also brings a fresh vision to Boston,” McEvoy said. “He is not about politics as usual … He has always been about action and impact.”
Kraft, in a statement shared by his campaign alongside remarks from O’Donnell and McEvoy, said he was “humbled” by his first major union endorsement.
“Maritime shipping is one of the cornerstones of a healthy and vibrant Boston economy,” Kraft said. “Just six weeks into our campaign, I couldn’t be more humbled and grateful to have the support of our longshoremen whose many members embody the best of Boston in so many ways.”
Kraft has a ways to go to catch up to Wu’s early endorsements.
The popular progressive first-term mayor has received the backing of the city’s two largest municipal employee unions, AFSCME Council 93 and SEIU Local 888.
She has also notched a key public safety endorsement from the city’s largest police union, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association.
The mayor has also locked down the support of a number of elected officials, including nearly half of the 13-member City Council. Five SEIU unions, including Local 888, with more than 175,000 members across 12 states, endorsed Wu earlier this month.
Wu’s campaign didn’t respond to an inquiry about whether she sought the Longshoremen’s endorsement.