An independent political action spending committee backed by the Massachusetts real estate industry has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into local races this year and so far tops the list of so-called super PACs pouring money into elections of Beacon Hill, followed closely.

Reports filed with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance show the extent to which super PACs — which have no limits on the amount they can raise and spend as long as they don’t coordinate directly with candidates — have participated in local contests.

For some of the candidates who have attracted outside support, the dollars came at a crucial time as they either faced tough primary challengers, contemplated serious issues on Beacon Hill or looked ahead to a difficult general election in November.

The Massachusetts Independent Realtor Expenditure Political Action Committee has spent the most money so far this year among super PACs, according to a compilation of reports drawn up by state campaign finance regulators just a week before the November election.

The super PAC spent more than $216,000 on direct mail, digital ads and “list” buys in support of both Democrats and Republicans, including more than $34,000 for Rep. Matt Muratore, a Plymouth Republican candidate against Falmouth Democrat Rep. Dylan Fernandes for a Senate seat for South Shore and Cape Cod.

The spending group is backed by the Massachusetts Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, which have fought attempts in the Legislature to pass a tax on high value home sales which supporters said would bring in much-needed money for affordable housing, according to state data.

Muratore said super PAC spending decisions are not up to him because state law prohibits him from coordinating with independent spending groups.

“I can only deal with our message, the message we’re trying to get across and whether it resonates with people,” he said in an interview. “The message is about the cost of the migrant crisis and issues of affordability and fiscal responsibility and transparency on Beacon Hill.”

Massachusetts Association of Realtors CEO Theresa Hatton said spending decisions are made by the super PAC’s board of directors.

“The board is made up of realtors from across the state who look at things like candidates’ policy positions on housing issues when making decisions about which candidates to endorse,” Hatton said in a statement.

Fernandes is also no stranger to super PAC dollars, having received support from the likes of the Massachusetts Association of Teachers and the Massachusetts Environmental League. He applauded the two organizations in a statement to the Herald.

“As someone with a strong track record of supporting public education and helping children succeed, along with being a champion for protecting and preserving our environment, it is an honor to have the support of the state’s preeminent teachers and environmental organization “, Fernandes. said.

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors-backed super PAC also spent more than $31,000 in support of Joseph Pacheco, a Raynham Democrat candidate for a Southeastern Massachusetts Senate seat against Taunton City Councilman Kelly Dooner, a Republican.

It’s not the only super PAC endorsing Pacheco — the Massachusetts Teachers Association Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee has also spent thousands promoting his campaign.

In a phone call with the Herald, Pacheco said he doesn’t control who the super PAC supports, but is “grateful for the organizations, the associations that represent the working class people of Massachusetts.”

He said some of the super PACs backing him represent “teachers, for example, and I’d stand with teachers any day over the ultra-rich donating to my opponent.”

“I mean honestly, no disrespect to you, but I’m not surprised that the Herald, again, is trying to give an edge to the Republicans in these races because this is now the third story that looks like it’s going to go to Kelly’s. favor,” Pacheco said when asked about his super PAC spending in the race. “Kelly got a whole article about Charlie Baker supporting her and I was supported by every public safety organization across the country and there was no story about it.”

The Massachusetts Association of Teachers, whose super PAC has spent more than $183,000 on local races this year, according to state data, said a “member-driven” committee evaluates and recommends “pro-education” candidates to endorse.

“MTA members proudly campaign for candidates who fight alongside educators for the public schools and colleges our community deserves. And that commitment to candidates extends to the financial support that our members know is crucial in competitive races,” a union spokesperson said in a statement.

The Commonwealth for All Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee — another super PAC that has received money from various unions in the past but only drew money this year from the National Association of Government Employees — also spent 11,265 dollars on shippers directly, as opposed to Dooner, suitable to declare records.

Dooner said she is proud that no “special interest groups advocating for higher taxes are promoting my candidacy.”

“This mail and all this special interest money to my opponent proves that I am the only candidate who can be trusted to hold the line on taxes, protect people’s wallets, wages and savings and fight the Healey administration’s costly migrant influx.” she said in a statement to the Herald.

A spokesman for the National Association of Government Employees and a union employee listed on state campaign finance filings did not respond to a Herald inquiry.

Regular political action committees, which can only take contributions from individuals but are given unlimited spending opportunities as long as they file the proper paperwork, have also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars this year on local candidates.

A PAC backed by 1199 SEIU, a union representing health care workers in Massachusetts, has so far spent more than $272,000 in support of more than 20 candidates for House and Senate seats, including Pacheco and Fernandes, according to state records.

The Republican-led Massachusetts House Political Action Committee has spent nearly $37,000 in support of conservative candidates, state data shows.

Originally published: October 30, 2024 at 4:49 PM EDT