MA Patch Candidate Profile: Cornelius Shea For Congress

WORCESTER, MA — The 2024 election is heating up in Massachusetts and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election at the top of the ticket, but there are other contested state and local races as well.

Cornelius Shea is running against incumbent Jim McGovern in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes most of Central Massachusetts.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Shea has answered Patch's questions below.

Age

66

Position sought

2nd Congressional District

Party affiliation

Independent

Family

Married 33 years, 3 adult children, 1 grandchild.

Education

St. John's High, St. Michael's College, Master's Degrees from Fitchburg State and Clark. University, Cohort in Education Administration Worcester State University.
Occupation Retired Worcester Public School Teacher, 20 year U.S.M.C. Veteran serving both in the Enlisted and Officer ranks.

Campaign Website

Shea4congress.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

I believe the country is in danger from the millions of undocumented migrants, record inflation, and career politicians in both parties. What really bothers me is that all 3 of these issues are self -inflicted and can be corrected.

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates seeking this post?

Our biggest difference is on illegal immigration. My opponent voted against the Save Act which simply would have required first time voters to prove they were American Citizens. He also voted against the bill that would have deported illegals who assaulted police. Most disturbingly, Mr. McGovern voted against The Illegal Immigrant Violence Against Women Act, which included rape. I would have voted yes on all 3 of those bills. My opponent, being a proud member of the progressives, wants to do away with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. I would never vote against ICE. Charity begins at home. It breaks my heart seeing thousands if not millions of homeless Americans, many of which are veterans, while illegal immigrants are put up in motels and hotels. I believe the millions of illegals in America are dangerous and not sustainable.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Inflation is another self inflicted wound. My pension is worth 30% less than it was almost 4 years ago. I believe out of control government spending and the progressive democrats war on energy are the root causes. We went from being energy independent to buying oil from our enemies Iran and for a time Russia. The Biden administration actually depleted our oil reserves. We are blessed with an abundance of oil in this country. Let's tap into that oil use it to lower our 34 trillion in debt. We can also use money from our oil and invest in alternative energy sources. When prices of diesel and gasoline more than doubled under the Biden Administration it's no secret that the prices of food and services would have to greatly increase.

The best advice ever shared with me was __________

My dad told me when I was young that time heals all wounds.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My opponent believes that I have very conservative views. He would say that John F. Kennedy had very conservative views. Why? JFK had a major decrease in taxes and he stated, "Ask what you can do for your country". The progressive democrats, which my opponent is a proud member of have it backwards. From cradle to grave they ask what the country can do for you. JFK like his nephew RFK jr. would not be welcome in the progressive democrat party today. I am a proud JFK democrat that got forced to be an Independent. I support term limits, I would recommend six (two year) terms for U.S. Congress and 2 (six year) terms for the Senate. When I mentioned this in an interview my opponent's team sarcastically noted that we already have term limits they are called elections. That is disingenuous. Career politicians have almost an insurmountable advantage. They can get all the money they want to run a campaign, I have to use mostly my own. In Massachusetts they can gerrymander the district in their favor. I believe that is why Southbridge, Oxford, Spencer, Dudley, Charlton etc. are in Richie Neal's 1st Congressional District and Northampton, Amherst, and Hadley are now in Mr. Mcgovern's 2nd Congressional District. There is a reason why less than 50% of the congressional races in this state are being contested. The way how our country is now no one democrat or republican deserves to run unopposed.