Christopher Sheldon
Christopher Sheldon was a 2012 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 9th Congressional District of Massachusetts.
Sheldon was defeated by Democratic incumbent William Keating on November 6, 2012.[1]
Biography
Sheldon was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He earned his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and then took a position with New York City-based Worldco Financial Services. He spent several years as an equities and derivatives trader, and was later tasked with opening a South Florida regional trading facility. He worked for a small consumer goods company in Boca Raton, Florida, before moving on to the University of Florida, where he obtained his MBA. Sheldon consults for small, medium, and Fortune 500 companies from his home in Plymouth. He is a member of the Plymouth County Charter Study Commission and a volunteer coach for a local high school swimming and diving team.[2]
Career
The following are Sheldon's career highlights.[3]
- Management Consultant, Self-Employed
- Consultant at AlixPartners and Bridge Strategy Group
- Sales/Marketing at iHealth (2003-2006)
- Proprietary Trading Desk at Worldco Financial Services (1999-2003)
Elections
2012
Sheldon ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Massachusetts' 9th District. He defeated Adam Chaprales in the Republican primary on September 6, 2012.[4]
General election
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  William Keating Incumbent |
55.1% | 212,754 | |
| Republican | Christopher Sheldon | 30.2% | 116,531 | |
| Independent | Daniel Botelho | 8.5% | 32,655 | |
| N/A | All Others | 0.1% | 465 | |
| N/A | Blank Votes | 6.1% | 23,394 | |
| Total Votes | 385,799 | |||
| Source: Massachusetts Secretary of State "Return of Votes" | ||||
Primary Election
The primary election was decided by a total of 79 votes. Sheldon was initially reported to have lost to Adam Chaprales by 39 votes, however following the official vote count he was found to lead by 79. Chaprales originally sought a recount, but later conceded the race.[5][6]
Endorsements
Sheldon was endorsed by state senator Robert Hedlund.[7]
Campaign issues
On his campaign website, Sheldon listed sixteen issues. They are:[8]
- Economy
Excerpt: "There are trillions of dollars sitting on the sideline waiting for the next shoe to drop on our economy, but it’s not too late. With the right people in Congress supporting the right President, I’m convinced that 2012 can mark the year that America got back on track, got back to work, and returned to its rightful place on the top of the world economic stage."
- Debt and Deficit
Excerpt: "In the next ten years, if we were to stop increases and maintain today’s budget, we would reduce the projected federal deficit by $10 trillion – compared to the proposed $4 trillion that just last year was considered draconian. We need to be honest about these issues."
- Taxes
Excerpt: "Our existing tax code is over 88,000 pages long and is fraught with special interest tax breaks and loop holes. This creates an economic system that is inefficient and causes perverse incentives for both corporations and individuals. By dramatically simplifying the tax code and reducing the overall number of tax brackets, we will help streamline the tax preparation process and return to a more efficient use of investment capital."
- Regulation
Excerpt: "Our self-employed and small businesses, and the community banks that fund them, are drowning in complicated regulations. Long, complex rules create loopholes that the big companies can take advantage of, but they leave little guys out in the cold. We need rules that are written with small businesses in mind."
- Energy
Excerpt: "To achieve energy independence, our nation should seek to develop every domestic form of energy – free from government subsidies or taxes – and let the free market determine winners and losers."
- Environment
Excerpt: "I support common-sense environmental policy that will help conserve energy, reduce pollution and preserve our parks and open spaces. "
- Healthcare
Excerpt: "I believe we need to repeal Obamacare and replace it with sensible legislation that will both improve access to affordable healthcare and reduce healthcare costs for our small businesses and struggling families."
- Medicare and Social Security
Excerpt: "I will NOT support ANY reduction in benefits for our existing seniors."
- Education
Excerpt: "I am passionate about improving the quality of our public schools. Accountability and high standards are paramount. I support choice through charter schools, as well as the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement."
- Immigration
Excerpt: "I oppose a path to citizenship for those that have entered our country illegally and believe we ought to strengthen our border enforcement."
- Foreign Policy
Excerpt: "As our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel lives every day under the threat of terror yet shares with America a dedication to democratic ideals, a respect for faith, and a commitment to peace in the region. Until a lasting peace is achieved, I support the security barrier erected by Israel which has proven successful in protecting Israeli civilians from terrorist attacks."
- Veterans
Excerpt: "I believe we need to recognize the sacrifice of all of our service members by keeping better track of returning military personnel so they get the services they deserve. That includes providing them with first-class medical care and other benefits to which they are entitled."
- Gay Marriage
Excerpt: "Gay marriage is a state issue and should not be dictated by the Federal Government. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people's will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives."
- Reproductive Rights
Excerpt: "While this decision should ultimately be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor, we all need to work together to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe that the Federal Government should avoid funding organizations that perform abortions and that government has the responsibility to regulate in this area. I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion."
- Gun Issues
Excerpt: "I support the Second Amendment and believe that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms as a basic constitutional liberty. I support safe and responsible gun ownership."
- Death Penalty
Excerpt: "I believe there are some criminals that simply can not be rehabilitated and some crimes that are so heinous that they deserve capital punishment. Our Government should have the ability to impose the death penalty in cases where it is justified."[8]
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Sheldon's home town is Plymouth, MA. He is an Eagle Scout.[9]
External links
- Official Campaign Site
- Official Facebook
- Official Twitter
- Official LinkedIn
- Christopher Sheldon's Vote Smart Profile
Footnotes
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Massachusetts"
- ↑ Elect Sheldon, "About Sheldon" June 27, 2012
- ↑ Vote Smart Profile, Career (Accessed: October 5, 2012)
- ↑ Associated Press, "Massachusetts Primary Results," accessed September 6, 2012
- ↑ Chatham Republicans, "Chris Sheldon Wins, Chaprales Concedes" (Accessed: October 5, 2012)
- ↑ Cape Cod Online, "Chaprales concedes to Sheldon in 9th District primary" (Accessed: October 5, 2012)
- ↑ Sheldon's Campaign Website, News (Accessed October 5, 2012)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sheldon for Congress, "Issues" August 16, 2012
- ↑ Sheldon's Vote Smart Profile, Biography
