BOSTON — A new Super PAC that appears to be aligned with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has emerged ahead of the state primary, where two Wu-backed challengers are vying to expel the two senators Wu blames for killing her tax bill. Boston Leads Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee was formally organized Thursday with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and quickly drew ...

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Nancy Lane/Boston Herald/TNS

BOSTON — A new Super PAC that appears to be aligned with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has emerged ahead of the state primary, where two Wu-backed challengers are vying to expel the two senators Wu blames for killing her tax bill.

Boston Leads Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee was formally organized Thursday with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, and quickly drew a rebuke from state Sen. Nick Collins, a South Boston Democrat who has been in the mayor’s crosshairs since his late 2024 move to block her signature tax shift legislation.

“Senator Collins is focused on the people of the First Suffolk District,” his campaign spokesperson Vanessa Woo said Friday in a statement to the Herald. “That work doesn’t change because a SuperPAC funded by hidden donors has organized to attack and distort his record. Voters know Nick, know his record, and know he shows up.

“Instead of hiding behind negative SuperPACs, his opponent should join him in calling for the passage of the property tax relief he moved through the Senate for working Bostonians,” Woo added. “Boston needs results delivered, not political attacks.”

Listed as chairman and treasurer of the Boston Leads Independent Expenditure PAC is Ben Martello, a political strategist and owner of the consulting firm North Side Ventures who has ties to the mayor.

Martello was also listed as the treasurer for the Bold Boston Super PAC that backed Wu during last year’s mayoral race, raising nearly $1.4 million to support the mayor and three of her City Council allies in their reelection campaigns, campaign finance records show.

He was further listed as treasurer for Wu’s inauguration fund, Boston Inaugural Fund 2026, that solicited donations to support the swearing-in ceremony for Wu, who gave an inaugural speech, and the 13 city councilors that was held in January, records show.

A federal campaign finance filing shows Martello was treasurer for the Graham Platner U.S. Senate bid in Maine that went down in flames this month when the controversial Democrat withdrew from the race amid sexual assault allegations.

Wu during her reelection campaign last year accused her principal opponent Josh Kraft, son of the billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, of trying “to buy” the race. Through a campaign fundraising email, she referred to the group that supported him, Your City, Your Future, as a “dark-money Super PAC.”

The Your City, Your Future PAC raised more than $3.6 million to support Kraft in his losing bid to knock off Wu, including by running attack ads against Wu, per campaign finance records.

While individual donors can only contribute a maximum of $1,000 per year to an individual political candidate, there is no limit on the amount a donor can give to a Super PAC.

State law, however, prohibits Super PACs from coordinating with any candidate or contributing directly to them. PAC donations must be used for independent expenditures such as ads and mailers.

Martello and the Wu campaign did not respond to requests for comment on whether the PAC was connected to the mayor and why it was formed. No contributions have been listed as being received for or against any candidate and the Herald hasn’t viewed any negative ads referred to by Collins.

But an explanation for the Boston Leads Independent Expenditure PAC’s purpose closely aligns with language the mayor used when snubbing Collins by endorsing his primary opponent and political newcomer, Latoya Gayle, last month.

The PAC states it was formed “to make independent expenditures supporting candidates who demonstrate strong leadership and are committed to advancing the interests and priorities of Boston’s residents.”

When endorsing Gayle, Wu said, “Residents of the 1st Suffolk District deserve a state senator who understands the challenges facing our communities and brings an urgency to find solutions.”

Wu also made a similar statement when endorsing Daniel Lander, a former senior aide in her administration who is challenging state Sen. William Brownsberger, the other Boston senator Wu blames for killing her tax shift bill.

Through his campaign, Lander said he had no knowledge of the new Super PAC. Gayle, a community activist who has been campaigning alongside Wu, responded to an inquiry about how she felt about the potential monetary support she may receive from the Boston Leads PAC by taking a swipe at her opponent’s donors.

“The 1st Suffolk District is fed up with Nick Collins taking tens of thousands of dollars from major real estate interests while blocking rent stabilization, property tax relief, and an audit of the Legislature,” Gayle campaign spokesperson Maccon Bonner said Friday in a statement to the Herald.

“That’s why Latoya is running for state Senate: because we deserve a senator who listens to residents, fights for working families, and shows up year-round — not one who is beholden to corporate interests,” Bonner added.

Wu has publicly blamed Collins for the failure of her tax shift bill, citing his procedural move to block a vote multiple times before it was ultimately killed by Senate President Karen Spilka due to lack of support.

The bill sought to provide a tax break to homeowners by increasing commercial tax rates. It was passed by the City Council and House of Representatives three times, but stalled in the Senate.

Collins and Brownsberger put forward alternative property tax relief bills that they argue won’t have the same harmful effects on the economy. Their legislation was approved by the Senate but drew opposition from the mayor, who called their bills “costly alternative Senate proposals that require sacrificing needed funding for city services.”

While Collins bashed the “hidden” financial support his opponent may receive from the new Super PAC, Brownsberger did not respond to the Herald’s request for comment on the matter.

Juwan Skeens is also running against Collins and Gayle. The state Senate Democratic primary that will all but decide the two races is set for Sept. 1.

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