Wu, a Democratic delegate, says she'll back Harris for president even if others jump into the race

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’s bid for the presidency, saying the city has benefitted from the current administration and citing her personal ties to Harris.

Wu said on WBUR’s Radio Boston Monday that almost every Biden-Harris administration cabinet member has visited the city, “and the vice president has been among that group as well. She's no stranger to Massachusetts or to Boston.”

On Saturday, Wu was among the speakers at a Provincetown fundraiser headlined by Harris for what was then the Biden-Harris ticket. Only a day later, the mayor was marching in the Roxbury Unity Parade when one of her aides stopped to share the news that Biden announced he was out of the running.

“ By all accounts, this seemed like a very difficult decision and certainly one that was quite personal,” Wu said on Radio Boston.

Wu is slated to be among the dozens of Massachusetts delegates attending the Democratic convention in Chicago next month. She said she will support Harris even if other candidates throw their hat in the ring.

“Having that direct understanding of her role in what has already been a very strong partnership between Boston and D.C., that's where I'm going to end up — no matter who else jumps in the race at this point,” Wu said.

Wu said the presidential race had been overwhelmed by “distractions,” many of which can be put aside now that Biden has stepped out of the race.

“I believe we will see a major shift in the energy and the momentum,” Wu said.

“Even though it's been [the] same partnership, same administration, in politics, sometimes the vehicle, the messenger, the moment, all shapes what actually cuts through all the noise.”

As the first elected female mayor of Boston, Wu said she can relate to the hurdles overcome by Harris, the first woman to serve as vice president of the United States. Both leaders are also the first Asian Americans to serve in their roles.

"I have actually sought advice from her on this very topic over the years and moments that she has been in Boston," Wu said.

Wu said there's "resilience and endurance and determination" that comes from facing the race- and gender-based attacks that have become so common for public figures in America. But, she said, there's a need for more fact-checking and push-back to deal with those attacks.