Political consultants are an unusual breed: Constantly charged with putting people in power, but never quite having that power themselves or even having a stated role after the election.
The New York Times just ran an interesting, detailed look at recently deceased Jersey City-based political consultant Jack Shaw, revealing some of his background you may not have known. The 61-year-old consultant was arrested a week ago Thursday along with 44 other political and religious leaders in the state for allegedly taking illegal campaign donations.
A few days later, he was found dead in his apartment, a possible suicide.
The Times said that Shaw grew up in Illinois and was the president of the Illinois Young Democrats. He worked for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, then left the state after being suspected of mishandling campaign funds. In New Jersey, he worked with many top politicians, including Frank Lautenberg, James Florio, and Barbara Boggs Sigmund.
It seems that he was involved in some problematic relationships. Various associates severed ties with him, one of whom accused him of having a drug problem, others who said he mishandled their funds. He also was involved in running the beleagured Jersey City SPCA shelter, which was eventually shut down last year.
One consultant said, “The kinds of things Jack does, he always needed to have a person, a big person to be the guy to. He ran out of people.”
To read more, click HERE.
The hidden life of Jack Shaw
