Herbert Shaw spent decades challenging the Hudson County Democratic Party machine, running for various offices over 75 times. He embraced the label of a "gadfly" and worked as a maintenance worker for the Newark Public Library. Shaw's campaigns were driven by a desire to expose corruption within the political establishment, often running on an independent "Politicians Are Crooks" ticket despite being a registered Republican. He lived in North Bergen with his wife, three daughters, two grandsons, and two pet Rat Terriers.

Herbert Shaw's political identity is defined by his relentless anti-corruption crusade, which he framed as personal revenge against a crooked Democratic machine in Hudson County. Despite his independent "Politicians Are Crooks" ticket, Shaw was a registered Republican, showcasing an ideologically flexible approach. His unconventional life—marked by a cluttered backyard and a maintenance job at the Newark Public Library—contrasts sharply with the polished image of traditional politicians. Shaw's frequent electoral challenges, running over 75 times for various offices, highlight a highly localized and disruption-oriented strategy. His unexpected convergence with opposing factions on certain issues reveals a calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests.