Shea served as executive chairman of the New York Committee for Adlai E. Stevenson during the 1956 presidential election campaign and, later, as a founder of the National Committee to Draft Stevenson in 1960. Shea was a lawyer and Democratic reform movement leader and served as a member of the New York State Democratic Committee (1958-1975); delegate to the New York State Democratic Convention (1954-1968); co-chairman of the New York State Citizens for McCarthy (1968); Justice Department hearing officer for conscientious objectors (1961-1968); trustee and executive vice chairman of the Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation (1965-1972); and as a board member of the National Committee for an Effective Congress. He founded the Committee for Democratic Voters in 1959.
From the description of John J.B. Shea collection on Adlai Stevenson, 1952-1956. (Princeton University Library). WorldCat record id: 177444731
