So, Boston will have a mayor’s race after all.

And that, no matter where your loyalties lie now or come November, is a good thing.

Our city’s model of government is sometimes referred to as a “strong mayor” system, meaning that the powers of the mayor largely outstrip those of other elected officeholders, most notably the city council. The 13-member council serves an important function and has seen its influence over budgetary decisions enhanced in recent years.

But, ultimately, the person who calls the big shots at City Hall is the woman—or man— who serves as mayor.

As we’ve seen in the case of White Stadium, the council can raise objections to big ticket decisions by Mayor Wu, but it can do little to stop her from following through on them — no matter how small or consequential.

This quadrennial mayoral election, then, will serve as a ratification—or rejection— of the sitting mayor’s policies as they’ve played out over the last few years. In Boston, the voters are, in a real sense, the most important check-and-balance we have on the powerful mayor model. But that leverage hinges on the notion that the mayor will actually face a worthy opponent and give voters a viable alternative. In that sense, Josh Kraft’s candidacy — announced formally inside Dorchester’s Prince Hall on Tuesday— does the city a service.

Wu’s staunchest supporters might not see it that way at the moment. It can sting to hear a sharp critique of your chosen candidate’s leadership. But every mayor, and every elected leader, needs that gut-check— and not just come election season. A healthy democracy depends on incumbents’ constant calculations about how their decisions will play out when voters get their chance to render a verdict.

The Kraft critique, as heard in its first draft on Tuesday, is that Michelle Wu doesn’t listen to critics or factor their push-back into her decisions. Whether that be road projects like Blue Hill Avenue, the stadium, her council-approved tax plan, or school consolidations— there has certainly been vocal opposition to many of Wu’s initiatives.

The mayor has not shied away from controversial calls. To her many supporters, that’s an admirable trait. We elect mayors to make tough decisions and— when necessary— to weather the storm of criticism that will necessarily come their way.

It was true of John Collins, Kevin White, Ray Flynn, Tom Menino, Marty Walsh— and it’s true of Michelle Wu. None of them, present company included as of Tuesday, got a free pass come election time. They all drew a robust challenge—and had to defend their records— even if the odds heavily favored their re-election.

Josh Kraft brings to the race a view from a different vantage point and, certainly, a family name that rings out far beyond city limits. But, while he is a newcomer to city politics, his career has — by all accounts— shown a sincere effort to help Boston kids succeed. Naysayers who dismiss his right to run and make his case are as wrong-headed as the nativist crowd who dismissed Michelle Wu because she was born in Chicago.

This city is fortunate for drawing talented, thoughtful people to our neighborhoods who want to contribute to the political dialogue. Whether or not one supports either of them personally— or choose to vote for an alternate candidate who could still emerge— we’re grateful to people who are willing to join the debate and engage in a productive back-and-forth about Boston’s future. That’s good for democracy and good for the city.

-Bill Forry