Berkshire County — One week before the Democratic candidates for the 3rd Berkshire District are set to go against each other in a September 3 primary, a controversy has erupted over a political action committee endorsing candidate Patrick White.
Over the past week, residents have reported receiving political mailers sent from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC) in support of White for the 3rd Berkshire District seat. According to its website, RPAC’s mission is to support and collaborate “with lawmakers to advance legislation that positively impacts the real estate industry. From fundraising for campaigns to mobilizing voters to promoting laws, RPAC is a grassroots organization that empowers our members to be agents of change in the Commonwealth.” RPAC is part of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.
According to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance website, RPAC has financially supported multiple candidates throughout the state, including White. The website reports that RPAC has spent $80,645.28 since the beginning of the year to support 12 candidates throughout the state. Of those contributions, RPAC has donated $5,757.24 to support White’s campaign.
In his campaign newsletter, White wrote that he is thankful for the support from RPAC, but that he did not know about RPAC’s support or their mailers beforehand. “I opened my mailbox on Saturday and saw a mailer from the Massachusetts Realtors supporting my candidacy,” White wrote. “They pointed to my desire to reign in property taxes, focus on jobs, and in general do the right thing by the people who live here. It was the first time I ever spent any time thinking of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. I never received a single email from them, a questionnaire from them, or solicited them. I didn’t ask for this, but I thank them for their support.”
White wrote, “I am pleased the realtors recognized me for my positions, including my concrete proposals to solve our problems.” He added, “These common-sense ideas include ways to lower the property tax burden, to lower borrowing costs to fund municipal projects like housing and bridges, and a shift of the burden to visitors. All practical ways for you to get more government while lowering your taxes. I welcome their support as from what I can tell from my search this weekend, they are a powerful force in Boston. Maybe they can help build consensus for ideas to help the Berkshires and all taxpayers in the Commonwealth.”
White added, “I’ve never worked for a real estate developer, not that it would be a bad thing if I did. I’ve never flipped a house, not that it would be bad if I did. I respect all the candidates’ needs to make a living and feed their families.”
In response, Leigh Davis criticized White in a post to the online forum Maggie’s List:
Unfortunately, my opponent, Patrick White, has recently mocked both me and the organizations that have endorsed my campaign, dismissing them as ‘special interests,’ comparing the endorsement process to ‘speed dating,’ and claiming that his own support comes from no such groups. Organizations like Planned Parenthood, which fights tirelessly to protect women’s reproductive freedom, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, committed to building climate resilience, and Clean Water Action, dedicated to safeguarding our water resources, are indeed special to me. I proudly stand with them, sharing their values and commitment to the public good.
While Patrick labels these organizations as special interests and claims he does not align with such groups, he has accepted support from the Mass Association of Realtors Super PAC—an organization that has attacked me for holding short-term rentals accountable for exacerbating the housing crisis and raising costs for longtime residents.
My campaign is rooted in public service, with a focus on uniting people and delivering meaningful results.
According to the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Davis’ campaign has been financially supported by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) State Council Independent Expenditure PAC and the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund Independent Expenditure PAC. The website also states that SEIU has spent a total of $5,829.51 to support Davis’ campaign and that the Environmental League of Massachusetts has spent $400 to support her campaign.
When asked if she had any examples of White mocking her campaign, Davis sent screenshots to The Berkshire Edge via email from the online community forum Maggie’s List and from Facebook.
White posted the following response to Davis on Maggie’s List:
[Davis’s] claim that I ‘accepted’ this in-kind contribution is false. In fact, I have not accepted any cash donations from any PACs, the only ones we can legally decline. It is illegal to coordinate in-kind contributions like mailers, and I never saw the one in question until it arrived in my mailbox.
I am assuming that was an oversight on your part.
For the record, I have nothing negative to say about Leigh. PACs are a reality in today’s politics. By definition, they are special interests, including both the ones that supported me and the ones that supported her. And yes, I also stand by the ‘speed dating’ comments. This whole PAC process is absurd, and, in my humble opinion, designed to pressure legislators into supporting without question the agenda of the endorsers.
This isn’t a criticism of Leigh. It’s how the game is played. I suspect this is one of the reasons why Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill are so dysfunctional.
Like Leigh, I helped draft the short-term rental bylaw in Stockbridge. I invited Leigh into the Stockbridge Select Board meeting last fall to present to us on the Home Rule Petition related to the Transfer Fee that she championed. I have a great deal of respect for her. Unfortunately, only one of us can win. It’s up to the voters.
