FRIENDS of SENATOR NICK COLLINS
Senator Nick Collins embodies the best of public leadership through his pragmatic, constituent-first advocacy and deep Boston roots. A tireless champion for working families, veterans, and small businesses, he continues to serve the First Suffolk District with unwavering integrity, accessibility, and vision.
VOTING CONCERNS IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARY TRIGGER ONE CITY COUNCILOR TO INVESTIGATETuesday's primary election in was not without its share of controversy, as some voters across the city reported difficulties and confusion at polling locations.In response to growing concerns from residents who nearly lost their ability to vote, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a 17F request for information targeting Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration. Flynn cited significant technical problems with the Boston Election Department’s software, which led to voters being erroneously listed as inactive, along with incorrect spellings of first and last names and inaccurate residential addresses. The severity of these complications drew representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and federal election monitors to several polling sites and City Hall. Emphasizing that voting is a fundamental pillar of democracy, Flynn asserted that every eligible citizen must be able to cast their ballot with complete confidence.The complaints were echoed by State Senator Nick Collins, a South Boston Democrat who successfully secured reelection against an opponent backed by Mayor Wu. Collins highlighted specific issues within his district, particularly across South Boston and Dorchester, where long-standing residents visiting their local polling stations were suddenly categorized as inactive. To cast their ballots, these individuals were required by election officials to present identification verifying the homes they had lived in for years and sign an affidavit attesting to their residency.
Collins publicly condemned the added hurdles, emphasizing that creating barriers to the voting process is entirely unacceptable.Addressing the criticism, representatives from Mayor Wu’s office and Secretary of State William Galvin explained that the inactive designations stemmed from voters failing to respond to the city's annual street listing. Wu spokesperson Marcela Dwork stated that regular updates to the voter rolls are conducted in full compliance with state law and guidance from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Dwork maintained that no registered voters were denied their rights, as anyone flagged as inactive could still cast a ballot by showing proper identification and confirming their address.The mayor's office added that federal election monitors operated under standard observer regulations and that voting throughout the primary ultimately proceeded smoothly without official reports of anyone being turned away.While city officials maintain that standard statutory protocols were followed to manage the voter rolls, the barriers experienced by residents at the polls raise serious questions about local election administration.We recognize the voters concerns and find it to be unacceptable. We look forward to Councilor Flynn's findingsFull story can be found at the Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/09/03/councilor-ed-flynn-presses-boston-mayor-wu-for-information-after-primary-voting-issues/South Boston Beat recognize the voters concerns and find it to be unacceptable. We look forward to Councilor Flynn's findings.
State Sen. Nick Collins won a tough primary battle against a challenger backed by Mayor Michelle Wu, whose aggressive bid to oust him from the State House for killing her signature tax bill failed.Collins, a South Boston Democrat who has traded jabs with Wu throughout this election cycle, defeated Latoya Gayle, a lobbyist and first-time political candidate, by a 53.9% to 43.7% margin in the First Suffolk District race on Tuesday.Gayle conceded the race to Collins at her election night party, while Collins declared he had won the race at his own.Boston Herald story here.
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“Nick Collins’ career has been dedicated to championing union priorities. We can count on him to fight for strong wages, affordable and accessible healthcare benefits and retirement security, safe jobsites, and protecting people’s right to join a union. He understands the importance of centering the needs of working people over corporations and billionaires and we are proud to endorse Nick for reelection.”– Chrissy Lynch, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO“The MNA is proud to once again endorse Senator Nick Collins for re-election in the First Suffolk District. Senator Collins has been a strong advocate for frontline nurses and healthcare professionals. He has sponsored legislation to enforce mandatory overtime laws and co-sponsored legislation to reduce violence in healthcare settings. Most recently, Senator Collins led the charge to protect public sector workers from detrimental healthcare cost increases. We need him back in the State Senate!”– Katie Murphy, President and practicing ICU nurse, Massachusetts Nurses Association
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BILLS PASSED, AND RESOLUTIONS
Senate Property Tax Relief Package: Partnered with Senator Will Brownsberger to advance and pass an alternative Senate property tax relief package. This reform includes the "tax shock credit" (S.1933) to protect homeowners from sharp residential tax levy spikes exceeding 10% in a single year, specifically targeting seniors 65 and older, families with children under age 6, and MassHealth enrollees. Additionally, Collins authored municipal tax relief provisions (S.2900 / Economic Development Bond amendment) allowing municipalities to tap surplus funds for direct homeowner tax rebates, raising income and asset limits for senior exemptions, expanding personal property tax exemptions for small businesses, and extending tax abatement filing deadlines to 75 days.. Economic Equity & the "Massport Model": Authored pioneering economic equity legislation requiring race and gender diversity standards across ownership, construction, design, financing, and management for development projects on state-owned land (inspired by the Omni Seaport Hotel development). Partnered on broader equity bills to address systemic injustice and reduce the racial wealth gap in state contracting.. Prescription Drug Monitoring & Harm Reduction: Served as lead sponsor for the landmark Prescription Drug Monitoring bill signed into law to curb prescription painkiller abuse. He also supported legislation (S.2543) legalizing and distributing fentanyl test strips to prevent accidental overdoses.. Workplace & Public Safety (S.1646): Advanced S.1646 enacting recommendations from the Walsh-Kennedy Commission to enforce tighter state regulation and oversight over hazardous "hot work" processes (such as welding and spark-producing work) to protect firefighters and the public.. Community Investment & Violence Prevention: Secured a $2.5 million state earmark in the Economic Development Bond bill for the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s Center of Healing, Teaching, and Learning in Dorchester, as well as over $1.4 million in state budget funding dedicated to South Boston public safety, education, healthcare, and senior services. Literacy & Consumer Protections: Supported statewide education legislation establishing early dyslexia screening standards and evidence-based literacy instruction, while voting to advance consumer protection measures strengthening fair housing protections and auto buyer safeguards.CURRENT WORK AND ENGAGEMENTS. Legislative Leadership: Serves as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business, Vice Chair of Post Audit and Oversight, and member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.. Healthcare Infrastructure (BRIGHT Act): Filed an amendment to the BRIGHT Act higher education bill aimed at securing funding for a UMass Boston Nursing School satellite campus at the former Carney Hospital site.. Finalizing Tax & Business Relief: Working to navigate property tax relief and small business tax exemptions through the joint Senate-House conference committee to ensure final enactment into state law.. Pet Safety & Civic Advocacy: Supported S.3014 promoting pet equity and safety standards, while continuing community commitments such as hosting the annual Boston St. Patrick's Day Breakfast and advocating for inclusive community events.WHY VOTERS SHOULD RE-ELECT SENATOR NICK COLLINSVoters should re-elect Senator Nick Collins because he has demonstrated pragmatic leadership focused on lowering the cost of living for working families, seniors, and local businesses. Through his joint work on the Senate tax relief package with Senator Brownsberger, Collins proved his independence by prioritizing targeted tax relief—protecting residents from steep property tax spikes and allowing municipalities to use surplus funds for direct rebates. His deep ties to the community are reflected in tangible results, including securing $2.5 million for homicide survivor support in Dorchester and over $1.4 million for local public safety, healthcare, and senior programs.Furthermore, Senator Collins has built a reputation for tackling tough systemic issues—from pioneering the "Massport Model" to enforce diversity and equity in major state real estate developments, to passing critical public safety measures that protect firefighters and combat the drug overdose crisis. His active work to restore healthcare services at the former Carney Hospital site demonstrates an ongoing commitment to responding directly to community needs.WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE RE-ELECTION OF SENATOR NICK COLLINS:With the re-election of Senator Nick Collins, voters can expect an unyielding advocate who will continue pushing for lower living costs, expanding community healthcare infrastructure, protecting local small businesses, and ensuring every neighborhood receives equitable investment and strong representation at the State House.
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with Senator Nick Collins, nor the Committee to Re-elect Nick Collins.