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Wu’s Reelection Triggers 2026 Pay Hike: Mayor to $250,000, Councilors to $125,000

A 2022 pay law tied to election timing was activated following her uncontested second-term win.

Overview

  • The mayor’s salary will rise by $43,000 to $250,000 in early January 2026 under the previously approved measure.
  • All 13 City Council members will move from $120,000 to $125,000 at the same time, including newcomer Miniard Culpepper alongside 12 reelected incumbents.
  • State ethics rules required the mayoral raise to wait until after the next election, and a 2022 council veto override set the tiered structure on a 9–4 vote.
  • Michelle Wu secured a second term without a general-election opponent after Josh Kraft withdrew following a lopsided primary defeat.
  • Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata says she has the votes to become Council president and has tapped Henry Santana as vice president, a move criticized in a Herald editorial over attendance and council independence.