Voters Will Not Be Fooled by "Election Year Conversion"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2010


O’CONNELL CALLS OUT FAGAN FOR FLIP-FLOPPING ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

O’Connell Says Voters Will Not Be Fooled by the Election Year Conversion

Taunton, MA…Today Shaunna O’Connell, Republican candidate for State Representative in the Third Bristol District, criticized State Representative James Fagan for flip-flopping on the issue of illegal immigration.

On Wednesday of this week, Representative Jeff Perry offered an amendment requiring the screening of applicants for welfare, food stamps and public housing in order to stop illegal immigrants from collecting taxpayer funded assistance. Fagan voted against the political maneuver of burying the amendment in a study committee. However, in 2009 (non-election year) Fagan voted to put the same amendment into a study committee.

“Like many other Taunton residents, I am greatly disappointed once again with our incumbent Representative. Last year he was against it and this year he is for it. He has proven once again that he is just a shameless politician only concerned with saving his second job,” said O’Connell. “Unlike Fagan, I will be a dependable vote for stopping illegal immigration in Massachusetts.”

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Massachusetts has 220,000 illegal immigrants. 25% collect welfare benefits, 11% received food stamp assistance, and 20% are covered by Medicaid.

“No one is being fooled by Fagan’s election year conversion,” said O’Connell. “We can assume by his flip-flop that he knew he failed to represent the wishes of Taunton residents in 2009. He should do what is right consistently, not just in an election year.”

“Voters have had enough politicians saying and doing anything to get elected. That’s why my campaign to be Taunton’s real representative is gaining momentum. People want a Representative on Beacon Hill they can trust,” added O’Connell.

O’Connell is a lifelong resident of Taunton. She worked her way through college by serving in the food department at Morton Hospital and quickly becoming a department supervisor. Professionally, O’Connell is a self-employed court reporter. She is a devoted wife and mother of two young children and has been active in her church and volunteers for numerous community programs. To learn more about Shaunna O'Connell's campaign, visit www.shaunna2010.com.