CHICOPEE – City Councilor Shane Brooks has announced his candidacy for the state representative position currently held by Joseph Wagner.

He is the first candidate to announce.

At a press conference at the State House building in Springfield on Feb. 22, Brooks said, “I’m not running to be the next Joe Wagner but rather the first Shane Brooks.”

On Facebook he wrote, “After many conversations with those who I hold close to me. And more than a few calls and texts, I have made the decision to run for state representative for the 8th Hampden district. The road will be long and at times I’m sure will be stressful for those that are close to me. I am confident I am making the right decision. I’d like to thank the girls, my parents and my absolute everything for supporting me in this journey. Buckle up I guess it’s gonna be a hell of great ride!"

Brooks has been involved in city politics in the last 20 years serving on the School Committee and City Council. He ran for unsuccessfully as mayor against Michael Bissonnette in 2009.

In the statement he read at the press conference, Brooks said, “It is my commitment to meet as many voters as possible over the next eight months to discuss their ideas and even more importantly listen to and hear their concerns. There are many issues that our city must address including food insecurity, homelessness, adequate school funding and their ability to keep Chicopee an affordable place for all residents to prosper, especially our seniors and young families.”

He added, “The conversation should continue to be about ways to shorten the distance between Chicopee and Boston and ensure that our regional needs are addressed in a fair and equitable way. There is no one right answer on how to do this but rather a collaborative approach is needed by working with other members of the Western Massachusetts delegation to accomplish this.”

When asked if winning the seat would mean a pay cut for him, Brooks said, “This is about changing vocation, not about salary.”
Brooks is a vice president at Gandara Center and is a graduate with his undergraduate and graduate degrees from American International College.