Through Kraft’s political contributions, we discover what matters to him on a national level. According to opencrets.org (first followed by blogger Brendan Halpin), Kraft has contributed financially to a wide range of local Democrats, Republicans including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming — and a small group of very conservative Republican lawmakers.

For example, Kraft gave a total of $4,400 – $1,500 on November 21, 2019 and $2,900 on September 9, 2022 – to Rep. Bob Latta of Ohio, who supported a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and voted against a bill to protect marriage equality. Latta also signed up an amicus brief who sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election and voted against authorizing a commission to investigate on January 6.

There are other interesting donations:

On May 27, 2020, Kraft gave $1,500 to Representative Mike Bost of Illinois, who also voted against the bill to protect marriage equality and signed the amicus brief.

On July 21, 2020, Kraft gave $1,500 to Representative Buddy Carter of Georgia, who sponsored the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which protects life from conception without exception, and also signed the brief amicus.

On February 26, 2022, Kraft gave $1,500 to Representative Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin, who, according to La Nouvelle République, In a speech on the House floor last July, he attacked government programs such as subsidized child care, accusing them of “taking the meaning out of man’s life because now you have a basket of treats for mom.”

Why give to these far-right lawmakers?

“Josh is Jewish, pro-Israel and has family and friends there. And that’s why he supported pro-Israel policymakers,” Eileen O’Connor, who represents Kraft, said by email. She pointed out that in the case of Bost and Carter, the contributions were made before January 6, 2021 and that Latta and Grothman both voted to certify the 2020 election.

Noting that the majority of Kraft’s political contributions are to Democrats, she said: “In the cases where he donated to Republicans, it was singularly because of their strong public support for Israel and that alone.” Josh has long been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a woman’s right to choose.

Kraft has not yet said whether he is running for mayor. But if he is, he might want to start revealing more about where he stands on local issues that matter to Boston voters. For now, he’s known primarily to a network of Boston insiders. A lengthy Boston Magazine profile titled “Who is Josh Kraft?” did little to flesh out his political thinking. Asked about a possible program from the mayor, he told the magazine: “So there are ways to improve access to opportunities with the basics of life: housing, education, by strengthening these opportunities and increasing their accessibility. »

What are these means? A debate on this would be interesting. Wu, who is expecting a baby in January, said on WCVB’s “On the Record” that she is running for re-election and will make an official announcement. “at the right time.” Councilman Ed Flynn is also reportedly considering a candidacy. But the possibility of a Kraft takeover sparked interest for obvious reasons: his money and his father. But to challenge an incumbent mayor like Wu, Josh Kraft needs something more than that to run.

It feels like Boston is at a crossroads. Housing costs are high; development is at a standstill; the school system is in a state of perpetual mediocrity; and public drug use and homelessness are persistent problems.

Wu has had run-ins, whether with some North End restaurant owners who weren’t allowed to offer outdoor dining or with some Franklin Park-area residents who don’t like his proposed restaurant. build a stadium for a professional women’s football team. Commercial property owners are also angry over Wu’s plan to raise their tax rates, as a way to limit residential property taxes.

There could be an opening for a pragmatic mayoral candidate who exploits residents’ frustration with too many bike and bus lanes. Is Kraft that candidate? Until he starts talking like one, we won’t know.

The longer he takes to define himself, the easier it is for others to define him – for example by examining his political contributions.

Joan Vennochi is a Globe columnist. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her @joan_vennochi.