Politics & Government

Craig Takes First Step Towards State Rep Run

Upton resident, businessman, veteran prepares for race.

Local businessman and Iraq War veteran, Shawn Craig, announced on Feb. 26, that he is taking the initial steps in setting up a campaign account and collecting signatures to explore running for the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

“I want to thank Rep. George Peterson for his years of service,” said Craig. “We have been in a long recession that has resulted in a high unemployment rate, a high underemployment rate, and lower average household income.  Beacon Hill has raised our taxes multiple times and yet local aid has not been increased.  We have seen far too many new reports about our tax dollars being wasted.  As a prior service U.S. Marine who has worked the last decade to stop fraudulent business practices in our nation’s securities markets, I am well prepared to go to the State House to make a positive difference for the people of Upton, Northbridge and Grafton.  That’s why today I am taking the initial steps in exploring my candidacy for State Representative."

Craig is a member of the Upton Finance Committee and is the liaison to the Mendon Upton Regional School District.  He is also the Vice-Chairman of the Mendon-Upton Multi-Board Task Force.  In addition, he is a member of the VFW and Upton Men’s Club.  

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“I believe in a life of service,” said Craig.

Craig gave up his financial planning practice in 2003 when he was called to active duty with the Marine Forces Reserve and deployed to Iraq with Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.  His military awards include the Combat Action Ribbon and Presidential Unit Citation. 

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Professionally, Craig has 18 years of private sector experience with the majority spent within the financial service industry.  He worked for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) for 8.5 years where he investigated broker-dealers for compliance with federal securities laws and FINRA rules and regulations.  One investigation of which he was the team lead resulted in the discovery of fraud and misrepresentation at a firm located in Braintree, MA.  Craig drafted a referral whereby the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission became engaged along with the FBI.  The firm’s owner was detained October 2, 2012 and sentenced in April 2013 to 17 years in federal prison plus 3 years supervised probation and $9 million in restitution. Craig left FINRA in 2013 to start a consulting business focused on helping small broker-dealers.

Craig earned his B.A. from Roanoke College, where he double majored in International Relations and Business, and an M.S. in Finance from Suffolk University in Boston.

“Already I have been receiving encouragement to run.  People know that I am both trustworthy and a hard worker,” said Craig.  “It is time to change the culture at the State House where mismanagement is ignored and taxes are ever increasing.  We deserve good government, both transparent and accountable, a disciplined budget, and a set of priorities that begin with curbing spending instead of raising taxes.”

Craig plans on meeting with voters around the district in the upcoming weeks to gauge support for his candidacy.  He anticipates his actions and gathered support will lead to a formal announcement of his candidacy in March.

Submitted by the Shawn Craig campaign. 


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