Shaunna O'Connell explained

Office:51st Mayor of Taunton
Term Start:January 6, 2020
Predecessor:Thomas Hoye
Term Start2:January 2011
Term End2:January 6, 2020
Predecessor2:James H. Fagan
Successor2:Carol Doherty
Shaunna O'Connell
Birth Date:14 March 1970
Birth Place:Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.[1]
Occupation:Freelance Court Reporter
Residence:Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Ted O'Connell
Children:2

Shaunna O'Connell is an American politician from Taunton, Massachusetts. A Republican, she currently serves as the 51st Mayor of Taunton, having served in office since January 2020. O’Connell was previously a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving in that office from 2011 until 2020 and representing the Third Bristol District.

Early life and education

O'Connell grew up in Taunton to divorced parents who ended up on housing assistance to meet family expenses. She worked her way through college by working two jobs. She worked in the food service department of the Morton Hospital and Medical Center, working her way up to a supervisory position.[2]

O'Connell attended the Massachusetts Bay Community College (Wellesley, Massachusetts) and Massasoit Community College (Brockton, Massachusetts).

Political career

O'Connell launched her first state representative campaign against incumbent Democratic state representative James Fagan in June 2009,[3] citing comments Fagan made in 2008 during a debate on a child sexual assault bill[4] as her inspiration to run. She defeated Fagan in the 2010 general election by 44 votes on election day,[5] prompting a recount.[6] She held on in the recount, with her margin of victory narrowing by only 13 votes and winning by 31 votes.[7]

O'Connell won re-election in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018, facing a Democratic opponent in each election. In 2019, O'Connell ran for Mayor of Taunton and won, becoming the 50th mayor and first female mayor in Taunton's history.[8] She faced controversy at the start of her mayoral campaign,[9] with CommonWealth Magazine reporting that Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito had given O'Connell notice that incumbent Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye would not run for re-election.[10]

Personal life

O'Connell and her husband, Ted, have two daughters. In June 2023, their younger daughter went missing from an addiction and mental health treatment center in Hilliard, Ohio. She was found in Columbus four days later.[11]

On July 22, 2024, O'Connell was arraigned on charges of assault and battery on a household member and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon after she allegedly bit and struck her husband with a crowbar during an argument at their home on July 19. Her attorney entered a plea of not guilty on her behalf and she was released on personal recognizance.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of Women in the Massachusetts Legislature 1923-present. February 22, 2013.
  2. Web site: O'Connell Goes Door to Door to Talk with Constituents . 2017-05-02 .
  3. Web site: OCPF - OCPF: Registered Filers. www.ocpf.us. 2020-01-15.
  4. Web site: Massachusetts Lawmaker's Pledge to 'Rip Apart' Child Rape Victims at Trial Draws Fury. 2015-03-25. Fox News. en-US. 2020-01-15.
  5. Web site: Republican Shaunna O'Connell ousts Taunton Rep. James Fagan. Tuoti. Gerry. The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA. en. 2020-01-15.
  6. Web site: PARTY LINES: Fagan, O'Connell file dueling recount requests. Tuoti. Gerry. The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA. en. 2020-01-15.
  7. Web site: Shauna O'Connell holds on in Third Bristol House District recount. Tuoti. Gerry. The Herald News, Fall River, MA. en. 2020-01-15.
  8. Web site: Shaunna O'Connell makes history, wins Taunton mayoral race. 2019-11-06. WPRI.com. en-US. 2020-01-15.
  9. Web site: O'Connell has a leg up in Taunton race. Mohl. Bruce. 2019-09-17. CommonWealth Magazine. en-US. 2020-01-15.
  10. Web site: State official suspicious of 'deal' between Taunton Mayor Hoye, guv and O'Connell. Service. Katie LannanState House News. The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA. en. 2020-01-15.
  11. Web site: Riley O'Connell, missing daughter of Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell, found safe in Ohio . WBZ . 22 July 2024.
  12. News: Taunton mayor charged with A&B with dangerous weapon (a crowbar). What court records say . 22 July 2024 . The Taunton Daily Gazette . July 22, 2024.