Battenfeld: Michelle Wu takes swipe at critics in family-friendly letter to city employees

In a possible road map for her upcoming campaign, Michelle Wu takes a swipe at critics who are threatened by the city’s progress and defends Boston and workers as a “family” in a letter to city employees.

“For some, our progress is a threat,” Wu writes, an indirect reference to her critics and challenger Josh Kraft. “Because we are proof that when we listen, learn and partner with our communities to build trust – the results speak for themselves. That’s threatening to those who aren’t interested in listening to, learning from, or collaborating with the people they serve.”

Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is planning to officially launch his campaign next week in Roxbury, sources said.

Wu’s family-friendly letter to employees – penned earlier this week – reads like a preview of how she’s likely to campaign from the safety of her City Hall bunker with new daughter Mira in tow.

“So far she’s been joining me for everything from daily staff check-ins and press interviews, to virtual bill signings, winter weather prep meetings, and her first in-person Cabinet meeting,” Wu writes. “With Mira’s arrival, I’ve been thinking even more than usual about home and family. And with all that’s going on in the world, I’ve been reflecting on the unique responsibility we have as City workers to make Boston feel like both home and family, for everyone.”

The letter indicates that Wu is likely to continue to travel with her new baby and take full advantage of the sympathy factor from the public.

The Boston mayor delayed her State of the City address until March, giving her time to respond to Kraft from the sidelines rather than jump right into the fire. She has not officially declared she is running for a second term, leading to some speculation she will bow out for the lucrative private sector.

“Like so many of us, I got into this line of work to make a difference in people’s lives, to expand access and deliver services that empower families to thrive here,” Wu writes. “To build a city that works and feels like home for every one of our residents. A city that treats every person like a neighbor and every neighbor like a family. Nothing will change that. We will continue to deliver on that promise. We have streets to plow, trash and recycling to collect, sidewalks to fix, and potholes to fill. We have students to teach, workers to train, residents to serve, and families to protect. And we will continue to show up every day, roll up our sleeves, and get to work for the people and city we love.”

Kraft needs to come out strong next week. It will be the first time he’s talked about his campaign and the issues and Wu’s record.

If he doesn’t come out aggressive and challenge Wu directly, it will make him seem unprepared for the campaign and too weak to survive a tough campaign.

Wu is bound to come out swinging as part of her stealth campaign, eager to define Kraft as rich, out of touch and not even a Boston resident until a few years ago.

Kraft bought an expensive condo in the North End but before that lived in swanky Chestnut Hill.

But he has been active in the Boston community for years with his role as the head of philanthropy for the Kraft family businesses. He’s reportedly looking to open his campaign headquarters in Nubian Square in Roxbury.