Tom Shack Eyes Run For Kennedy's House Seat

BROOKLINE, MA —Tom Shack, 54, a former Comptroller of Massachusetts, is considering throwing his hat in the ring among so many others, to make a run at the Massachusetts Fourth Congressional District. If he decides to run he joins four other Brookline residents who have announced that they plan to run for the seat in Congress as Rep. Joe Kennedy announced he would be running for Senate next year. Two Newton city councilors have also announced they're running.

Shack said in a release announcing his exploratory committee, the presidential impeachment proceedings helped spur his desire to examine the idea of running.

“We are confronted by the greatest threat to our democracy in a generation," said Shack in a statement. "[President] Donald Trump’s malignancy has been exposed day after day since taking office. With impeachment proceedings happening as we speak; and initial 2020 Presidential voting set to take place in just a few months; we must plan for a future without Trump.”

In the coming weeks, Shack said he plans to speak with voters, activists and elected officials to hear as many perspectives as possible on what they expect from their next member of Congress.

“I firmly believe that the next member of Congress from the 4th District must have the experience and leadership skills to begin bridging the divides in Congress and across our republic," he said in a statement. "I bring a unique perspective and experience in accomplishing just that – restoring faith in our government through transparency, accountability, and common decency. I look forward to speaking with voters across the district as we explore the possibility together”

Shack stepped down after four years as Comptroller of the Commonwealth earlier this year. He said he was particularly proud that while working as comptroller, his team developed a financial transparency system that has allowed taxpayers, media, public interest groups, and government agencies to uncover millions in fraud, waste and abuse.

Shack also has experience as a prosecutor, leading the financial and operational oversight of a district attorney’s office. Since stepping down from comptroller he's worked for a consultancy he started to help bridge the divide between voters and their representatives at all levels of government.

He received his J.D. from New England Law Boston where he was editor-in-chief of the New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement. He also holds a B.A. in political science and an M.B.A. in entrepreneurship and management from American University in Washington, D.C.

Democratic Socialist Ihssane Leckey of Brookline declared she was running in May, expecting to challenge Kennedy himself. Brookline resident Alan Khazei, who co-founded City Year announced his candidacy in September. In October former Brookline Selectwoman Jesse Mermell became the third Brookline resident to announce she was running, followed by Dave Cavell. Newton City Councilors Becky Walker Grossman and Jake Auchincloss also both jumped in the race. And several more appear to be circling from Brookline and beyond, including State Sen. Paul Feeney, of Foxborough, and state Rep. Patricia Haddad of Somerset.

The Fourth Congressional District includes parts of Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties. Before Kennedy was elected in 2012, Barney Frank held the seat from 1981 until Kennedy took over.

Read more:

• MA Treasurer Deb Goldberg Eyes Joe Kennedy's Seat
• Arrival VR: Ihssane Shares Her Immigration Story (2019)
• Joe Kennedy Mulling Senate Run Against Ed Markey (August)
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Endorses Sen. Ed Markey
• Joe Kennedy Announces Run For Senate
• Several Brookline Residents Eye Kennedy's Seat In Congress ...
• Newton's Grossman Declares Run For Kennedy House Seat (Sept.24)
• Leckey Of Brookline Runs For Congress
• Candidate For Congress Jesse Mermell: Civic Engagement Runs Deep (October)
• Dave Cavell, Another Brookline Resident Runs For Congress (Oct.19)

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).