Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft slammed Mayor Michelle Wu for choosing to launch her reelection campaign at an event venue that boasts wealthy clientele.

Wu is formally kicking off her reelection bid at Cyclorama of Boston Center for the Arts, in the South End, next Saturday at 2 p.m.

After Wu’s campaign announced the mayor’s chosen location, Kraft, son of the billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, was quick to point out that he opted to launch his mayoral campaign in a less prosperous neighborhood.

“I am not surprised the mayor would hold her campaign kickoff at the Cyclorama,” Kraft said in a statement. “This is one of the toniest venues in town to host a party, and lists some of its past clients as Harvard University, Apple, Google, Uber and Louis Vuitton.

“I was proud to hold my campaign announcement at Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Dorchester, in a more diverse neighborhood and where people do not feel listened to by the mayor,” the longtime philanthropist said.

The mayor’s campaign said Wu chose to celebrate her initial mayoral election at the Cyclorama, and noted the building’s longtime connection to the community.

“The mayor looks forward to launching her re-election campaign at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, which has been a home for artists across every community in Boston for decades,” a Wu campaign spokesperson said in a statement. “It is also the place where she celebrated with supporters and community members on election night in November 2021.”

Mayor Michelle Wu (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

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