Overview

• Public polls show Mayor Michelle Wu far ahead of Josh Kraft, with an Emerson survey on Sept. 5 putting her lead at more than 50 points.
• The Department of Justice sued Boston over its Trust Act last week and a federal enforcement surge dubbed Operation Patriot 2.0 has intensified scrutiny of the city’s sanctuary policy.
• Turnout reached about 18% by 6 p.m., lower than the 2021 preliminary, a factor that observers say could shape how the candidates’ margins are viewed.
• Kraft has poured more than $5 million of his own money into the race and recently parted ways with two senior advisers as he looks to close the gap.
• Wu enters the general-election phase with major Democratic endorsements from Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Ayanna Pressley, while Kraft picked up a late boost from former city councilor Annissa Essaibi George.