As potential major changes loom in Boston’s development policies, real estate executives are weighing in with their wallets in the mayoral race.
City Councilor Michelle Wu leads the field with nearly $745,000 raised since Jan. 1, according to filings with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, but big-name developers are noticeably scarce among Wu’s recent donors. Wu was highly critical of the Walsh administration’s approach to reviewing and approving developments, and has issued a “Green New Deal” platform calling for sweeping changes to the city’s review process to promote affordability, environmental sustainability and consistent city-wide standards for community benefit agreements.
Wu’s platform aligns with goals of the Conservation Law Foundation, whose CEO Bradley Campbell donated $1,000 on April 26. She received contributions from three executives from brokerage Newmark along with Beacon Communities Chairman Howard Cohen, who also donated to Wu rivals John Barros and Annissa Essaibi George.
Both Wu and former Boston economic development chief John Barros have called for additional linkage fees imposed on large commercial developments to pay for affordable housing and workforce training, on top of the 42 percent increase imposed by Walsh during his final days in office. Barros has pledged to increase the percentage of required affordable housing and raise carbon-free goals for developments.
During April, Barros received donations from executives from development firms Redgate, Winn Cos., Beacon Residential Management, The Davis Cos., Trinity Financial and HYM Investment Group.
Acting Mayor Kim Janey received donations from executives from Cargo Ventures, The Davis Cos., HYM Investment Group, Cushman & Wakefield, LBC Boston, Tremont Asset Management and New Boston Fund.
Executives from National Development, Mount Vernon Cos., Redgate, City Realty, Dana Myer & Sons, The Davis Cos., D.L. Raftery and Rafi Investments all chipped in to state Rep. Jon Santiago’s campaign.
City Councilor Andrea Campbell ranks second with over $672,000 raised since the beginning of the year, but received only two donations from individuals listing real estate occupations during April.
Among notable business figures in other industries, Wayfair CEO Niraj Shah contributed to Barros and Santiago, while hedge funder Seth Klarman of The Baupost Group donated $1,000 to Wu’s campaign.
And Kraft Group President Jonathan Kraft also has been spreading donations throughout the race, contributing to the campaigns of Barros, Janey and Santiago.
A recent poll of 860 registered voters in Boston conducted by Emerson College from April 27 to April 28 and sponsored by WHDH found that Wu led the field with support from 16 percent of voters, followed by Janey with 15 percent, Essaibi George with 14 percent and Campbell with 11 percent. Santiago received 4 percent and Barros 3 percent.
