Brian Shortsleeve, a Republican candidate for governor in Massachusetts, is facing scrutiny over his role in bringing a Chinese state-owned manufacturer into the Boston subway system, a $277 million contract awarded during his leadership to China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC). This decision represents a financial debacle and a potential national security risk. Shortslee defended the deal as fiscally responsible, but the relationship with CRRC has since deteriorated, with delays and mechanical issues, and only a fraction of the promised cars delivered years behind schedule. Security concerns have grown over time, with concerns that CRRC could pose a surveillance or sabotage threat to U.S. infrastructure. The Rail Security Alliance has called the MBTA’s contract a “fiasco” citing delays, alleged coverups, and mechanical failures.