SHAWN NELSON (marine corps veteran)

Firefighters across Massachusetts and the country have been unknowingly exposed to dangerous PFAS chemicals through the very gear meant to protect them. These “forever chemicals” have been linked to serious long term health risks, including multiple forms of cancer.

Shawn Nelson is committed to leading on this issue from day one by pushing for immediate federal and state coordination to:

• Accelerate the replacement of PFAS contaminated gear 
• Secure dedicated funding streams for all municipalities, not just a select few 
• Ensure long term medical monitoring and care for firefighters already exposed 
• Hold manufacturers accountable for years of unsafe materials 

Our first responders answered the call without hesitation. Shawn believes it is time we do the same for them.

From misuse of authority to lack of transparency, residents across the 7th District have lost trust in leadership. Shawn has experienced firsthand what happens when government power is used against individuals who speak out.

He is running to restore balance by:

• Defending constitutional rights, including free speech and peaceful protest 
• Increasing transparency in city and state operations 
• Ending political targeting and misuse of law enforcement 
• Holding elected officials accountable to the people they serve 

Government should work for the people, not against them.

Families across the district are being squeezed by rising costs, public safety concerns, and policies that fail to prioritize residents.

Shawn Nelson will focus on:

• Supporting law enforcement and ensuring safe neighborhoods 
• Addressing cost of living pressures impacting working families 
• Investing in local communities, not bureaucratic expansion 
• Putting residents first in housing, services, and public policy decisions 

He believes every family deserves safety, stability, and a government that puts them first.

Shawn Nelson is a United States Marine Corps veteran who proudly served his country with unwavering commitment and discipline. His service did not end when he returned home, it continued in his fight for the people of Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District.

Shawn has never been one to follow the crowd. He is one of the few political voices willing to challenge both sides of the aisle when they fail the people they were elected to represent. His approach is simple, stand firm in your beliefs, speak the truth, and never back down when it matters most.

That willingness to stand up has come at a cost.

Shawn has faced adversity head on, including arrests tied to protests and repeated efforts to silence his voice. His name was included on a controversial list compiled during security planning discussions connected to the office of Michelle Wu, which drew public scrutiny and raised serious concerns about government overreach and the treatment of political critics.

The reporting surrounding that list sparked backlash and questions across Boston’s political landscape about civil liberties and the role of government in monitoring dissent.

But Shawn did not disappear.

He continued to show up in person, speaking directly to leadership and calling out policies he believes are failing the people of Boston and the 7th District. His presence and willingness to confront issues head on have made him a target, but also a voice for those who feel they have none.

At the same time, broader concerns about leadership in Boston, including reports highlighting issues within city operations and public safety challenges, have only strengthened Shawn’s resolve to push for accountability and reform.

For Shawn, these moments were not setbacks, they were proof of why leadership must change.

After years of pressure and restrictions, his ability to return to City Hall has been restored. But the mission never stopped. Every day, he continues to fight for residents who feel ignored, overlooked, and pushed aside by a system that no longer listens.

Shawn Nelson is running for Congress to bring real representation back to the 7th District, representation that is accountable, fearless, and rooted in service to the people, not political power.

He believes in standing up for working families, supporting first responders, defending constitutional rights, and ensuring that government answers to the people, not the other way around.

This campaign is not about politics as usual. It is about restoring trust, defending your voice, and fighting for a future that puts residents first.

-BRIAN FOLEY