Shaunna O'Connell is running for State Representative in the 3rd Bristol district. Current Representative James Fagan is a 8 term incumbent with $42,109.23 cash on hand according to his 2008 year end report with the OCPF.
Shaunna O'Connell is a lifetime resident of the district, a small business owner and community activist. She has served as a member of the Taunton Emergency Management Agency, Chairperson of the Christian Education Committee, and sits on the Woman's Advisory Board. More information can be found on her campaign website Shaunna2010.com or her facebook page.
Democrat James Fagan took some heat last fall for his vocal opposition to "Jessica's Law" designed to protect small children from sexual predators. Fagan said that in his role as a lawyer "I'm going to rip them apart, I'm going to make sure that the rest of their life is ruined." when referring to multiple young children, or a single young child. BNCordiero covered the story here and I have included the video below the fold.
The 3rd Brostol district consists of precinct B of ward 1, and all precincts of wards 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8, of the city of Taunton. Recent election results show Taunton is roughly equal to the Massachusetts state average. James Fagan had no opponent in either 2006 or 2008.
Taunton 5,042 + 1,349 vs. 8,635 + 213
33.1% + 8.9% vs. 56.7% + 1.4%
The Percentages here are only among the Obama and McCain votes and do not include the 3rd party candidates. The number are for the city of Taunton as a whole because I do not have precinct level data.
In 2008, McCain lost by 26% statewide and 20.6% in the city of Taunton. In 2006, Kerry Healy lost by 21% statewide adn 23.6% in the city of Taunton. If the Mihos and Ross numbers are included, "conservative" leaning candidates lost to "liberal" candidates 16% statewide and 16% in the district.
I have recently started profiling some Republican candidates running for State Representative and State Senate here in Massachusetts.
