MARION — Candidate for Governor and venture capitalist Brian Shortsleeve believes that the residents of Massachusetts are looking for change.

“Across this state, people are really going to be looking for new approaches,” he said at a Marion Republican Town Committee meeting on Monday, June 9.

Shortsleeve served as a Marine after graduating from Harvard University with a Bachelor’s Degree in American History. He also received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard following his service. 

He currently owns M33 Growth, a venture and growth stage investment firm. Previously, he worked with Former Governor Charlie Baker on MBTA reform starting in 2015. He said these experiences shaped his understanding of finance, government and work ethic.

While speaking at the Marion Music Hall, Shortsleeve emphasized the importance of creating new job opportunities and stimulating the state economy in Massachusetts.

He intends to lower taxes in order to help small business owners if elected, as well as lower the cost of living.

“We’ve got to get this stuff under control very quickly as governor,” said Shortsleeve. “Day one: the focus would be on cutting taxes. Day one: the focus would be on eliminating all the charges on these utility bills. Day one: our sanctuary state policies cooperate with ICE. Day one: get spending under control.”

He discussed his concerns with the cost of living driving out citizens of Massachusetts, stating that he wants the Commonwealth to be a place where his sons can grow up and prosper.

During his speech, Shortsleeve criticized the work of current Governor Maura Healey, stating that the “state government is completely off the rails.”

He described the cost of the “migrant crisis” as “stunning.”

According to the Boston Globe, Massachusetts spent nearly a billion dollars on emergency shelters for homeless families and migrants during the 2024 fiscal year.

“The reality is there’s been billions spent on that problem, and it’s Healey’s failed policies that have gotten us to where we are,” said Shortsleeve.

Marion resident Stephen Kokkins asked Shortsleeve how he intends to approach issues with immigration.

Shortsleeve said he supports “legal immigration” although he intends to change the state’s approach to immigration if elected.

“We haven’t made progress. We are still a sanctuary state. Our state police do not cooperate with ICE,” he said, specifically citing that he would reform the state’s Right to Shelter law which currently guarantees homeless migrant families the right to temporary housing and emergency services.

Shortsleeve emphasized that the law is intended to support “American citizens.”

“It was focused on American citizens, usually Massachusetts battered women. That’s what it’s for. It’s a good law,” he said. “What it’s not meant for is to absorb billions of dollars of costs.”

While Massachusetts is not legally defined as a sanctuary state, many consider it to be a sanctuary state due to its limitation of cooperation with federal law enforcement regarding immigration.

Governor Healey has publicly denied that Massachusetts is a sanctuary state on several occasions, recently stating that “Officials here follow the law. We are not a sanctuary state” at a press conference in January.

Marion resident Lee Vulgaris asked Shortsleeve how he intends to create change and pass legislation while facing opposition from Democrats in the House.

“It starts with a great ticket from top to bottom and winning races,” said Shortsleeve.

He adds, “I think that as a party, we need to get organized.”