MJ Shannon

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
MJ Shannon
Image of MJ Shannon
Connecticut House of Representatives District 117
Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

0

Predecessor

Compensation

Base salary

$40,000/year

Per diem

$No per diem is paid.

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Ward Melville High School

Bachelor's

Plymouth State University, 2022

Personal
Birthplace
MIlford, Conn.
Contact

MJ Shannon (Democratic Party) is a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing District 117. He assumed office on January 8, 2025. His current term ends on January 6, 2027.

Shannon (Democratic Party, Working Families Party, Independent Party) ran for election to the Connecticut House of Representatives to represent District 117. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Shannon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

MJ Shannon was born in Milford, Connecticut. He earned a bachelor's degree from Plymouth State University in 2022. He has been affiliated with the Conneticut General Assembly.[1]

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: Connecticut House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 117

MJ Shannon defeated Raymond Collins III in the general election for Connecticut House of Representatives District 117 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of MJ Shannon
MJ Shannon (D / Working Families Party / Independent Party) Candidate Connection
 
52.0
 
7,144
Raymond Collins III (R)
 
48.0
 
6,594

Total votes: 13,738
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. MJ Shannon advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut House of Representatives District 117.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Raymond Collins III advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut House of Representatives District 117.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Shannon in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

MJ Shannon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shannon's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am a dedicated community leader and advocate running for State Representative in Connecticut’s 117th Assembly District, which covers parts of Milford, Orange, and West Haven. Born and raised in Milford, I have built a reputation as a passionate environmentalist and a seasoned advocate for social justice and community development. My work with the Sierra Club, efforts in beach cleanups, and vocal presence at public events highlight my dedication to environmental issues and community concerns.

I hold a BA in Political Science and Government from Plymouth State University and graduated from Foran High School in Milford. I strongly support local educators and schools, understanding their vital role in the community.

Currently serving as the Clerk of the General Law Committee at the General Assembly, I bring valuable experience with the legislative process. My campaign is built on the principle of community empowerment, focusing on building positive relationships and fostering new connections with residents across the district.
  • As a product of public schools and a passionate advocate for education, I am committed to ensuring that every student in our community has access to a quality education. I have personally witnessed how a well-funded and supported education system can open doors of opportunity and pave the way for success. That’s why I have been active in local governance, speaking out for school funding and standing with teachers to demand the resources they need. Our students deserve smaller class sizes, modern facilities, and access to the programs that will help them thrive. I will fight to make sure education remains a top priority, so we can equip our students for the future and strengthen the foundation of our community.
  • Our environment is one of our most precious resources, and we must take bold action to protect it for future generations. Having spent time advocating for cleaner beaches and learning about the impact of climate change on our coastal communities, I know firsthand that Connecticut is facing serious environmental challenges. Coastal erosion, habitat loss, and pollution threaten not only our natural landscapes but also our economy and quality of life. As a state representative, I will push for sustainable policies that protect our coastlines, preserve wildlife, and reduce our carbon footprint. By investing in renewable energy and green infrastructure, we can ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for all of us.
  • A strong economy is essential to the well-being of our community, and we need to make sure Connecticut is a place where businesses can grow and families can thrive. Affordability is a major concern for many residents, especially young people and working families. I will advocate for policies that promote economic development while addressing the cost-of-living crisis. This means supporting small businesses, investing in job training programs, and promoting affordable housing options to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. By fostering a thriving local economy, we can create good-paying jobs, increase financial security, and build a more prosperous future for everyone.
I am passionate about sustainability, affordability, workforce development, public education, public safety, and LGBTQ+ rights because these areas are key to building a stronger, more resilient community. Sustainability protects our environment for future generations, while affordability addresses rising costs for families, young people, and seniors. Workforce development expands access to job training and supports small businesses. Public education is vital, and I believe in fully funding schools and supporting teachers. I am also committed to safe communities and advocating for equality and inclusion for all.
The most important characteristics for an elected official are being a good listener, standing firm in their values, and remaining committed to their constituents. A good elected official must actively listen to the concerns and needs of the people they represent and be willing to fight for them, even when it’s difficult. They should stand their ground on important issues and not be swayed by political pressure or special interests. Integrity, honesty, and putting the needs of the community first should always be at the heart of an elected official’s principles.
One of the first historical events I remember was the Sandy Hook School shooting. I was in middle school at the time, and it is a moment that has deeply impacted me. The tragedy left a lasting impression, shaping my understanding of the importance of school safety and the need for stronger gun violence prevention measures. It’s something I will never forget, and it continues to influence my commitment to advocating for safer communities.
Yes, it is essential to build relationships with other legislators. Collaboration is key to achieving meaningful progress for the residents of Connecticut. By working together, sharing ideas, and finding common ground, we can create more effective solutions that benefit everyone. Strong relationships help foster productive dialogue, bridge differences, and ensure that we are united in our efforts to improve the lives of those we serve. In the end, teamwork among legislators leads to better policies and stronger communities.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont

Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz
Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell
Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon
CT State Building Trades
AFL-CIO
CT Young Dems
Reproductive Equity Now
CT Independent Party
CT Working Families Party
CSEA SEIU Local 2001
4Cs, Congress of CT Community Colleges, SEIU 1973
Planned Parenthood Votes!
AFT Connecticut
Connecticut Against Gun Violence
Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association

Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter
I believe financial transparency and government accountability are essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring that elected officials are serving the best interests of their constituents. Transparency allows residents to see how their tax dollars are being spent and holds government agencies accountable for their actions. By promoting open communication and making financial decisions accessible to the public, we can prevent corruption, encourage responsible spending, and build a more trustworthy and efficient government. Accountability ensures that government officials are answerable for their actions and that the needs of the people remain the top priority.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


MJ Shannon campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Connecticut House of Representatives District 117Won general$7,440 $1,646
Grand total$7,440 $1,646
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Connecticut

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Connecticut scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.












See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2024

Political offices
Preceded by
Charles Ferraro (R)
Connecticut House of Representatives District 117
2025-Present
Succeeded by
-


Leadership
Speaker of the House:Matthew Ritter
Majority Leader:Jason Rojas
Minority Leader:Vincent Candelora
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
Pat Boyd (D)
District 51
District 52
Kurt Vail (R)
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
Jay Case (R)
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
Joe Hoxha (R)
District 79
District 80
District 81
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
District 89
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
District 100
District 101
District 102
District 103
District 104
District 105
District 106
District 107
District 108
District 109
District 110
District 111
District 112
District 113
District 114
District 115
District 116
District 117
District 118
District 119
District 120
District 121
District 122
District 123
District 124
District 125
Tom O'Dea (R)
District 126
Fred Gee (D)
District 127
District 128
District 129
District 130
District 131
District 132
District 133
District 134
District 135
District 136
District 137
District 138
District 139
District 140
District 141
District 142
District 143
District 144
District 145
District 146
District 147
District 148
District 149
District 150
District 151
Democratic Party (102)
Republican Party (49)