New super PAC plans entry into Boston races

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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is slated to get more super PAC support.

Malia Lazu, a consultant and former bank executive, filed paperwork on Friday to form a super PAC that aims to “support progressive candidates and oppose more conservative candidates in cities throughout Massachusetts.” 

But the group's focus this fall will be in Boston, where Wu is looking to bury her challenger, Josh Kraft. The Sept. 9 preliminary will narrow the field of four – Wu, Kraft and two other candidates – to two finalists who will face off in the November election. The incumbent mayor has kept training fire on political newcomer Kraft and his campaign financing missteps.

“Why bike lanes were becoming a big issue in Boston politics was confusing to me,” Lazu said in a reference to one of Kraft’s signature criticisms of Wu. Kraft has said he supports bike lanes while lambasting the Wu administration for the way they’ve been implemented.

The name of the super PAC, “We Are Different,” is a nod to the Boston Celtics marketing campaign, “Different Here.” The super PAC plans to target Black and brown voters through digital media and working with local influencers, Lazu said.

The super PAC, still in the embryonic stages, will be entering the mayoral field as two other outside groups have spent months bolstering their respective candidates and attacking the other side. Bold Boston, aligned with Wu and backed by unions and environmental groups, has pulled in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and Your City Your Future has drawn on wealthy friends of Robert Kraft, Josh’s father, to bankroll its multimillion-dollar efforts.

Lazu told MASSterList that her super PAC is also interested in supporting a slate of progressive candidates running for at-large – or citywide – seats on the 13-member City Council. She singled out incumbent city councilors Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia and Henry Santana for support.

The super PAC plans to jump into Boston politics once the preliminary is over. A total of 10 at-large candidates qualified for the ballot. The preliminary will narrow that field down to eight competing for four seats.

Lazu said the super PAC may also get involved in the post-preliminary race for the District 7 seat, which opened up. Tania Fernandes Anderson resigned in July after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges.

Early in her career, Lazu co-founded the nonprofit advocacy group MassVOTE. She recently worked as executive vice president and regional president at Berkshire Bank. On the super PAC, she is working with Wilnelia Rivera — a fellow consultant who has handled projects with Boston City Hall departments — as well as several political players to be named later.

I predicted earlier this year that super PACs would make a big comeback in Boston. Any other groups getting in the pool? If you know, let me know: [email protected].

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