Comerford joins sheriff’s race as sole Republican candidateDate: 7/15/2016 BONDSVILLE – John Comerford is defying political convention. He isn’t seeking endorsements or campaign donations as part of his run for Hampden County sheriff. His campaign, so far has cost him $254 for business cards. He promises to run for only one term, if elected. He doesn’t have an organization or a website.
Comerford believes he is the most qualified person to run for sheriff.
“My public service record is second to no one in the race. I’m smart enough to know my background would fit me very well as sheriff of Hampden County,” he told Reminder Publications.
Comerford has worked the past seven years as the veterans’ agent for East Longmeadow, Hampden, Monson and Wales.
He described his experience in a recent posting on Facebook. “I rely on my background as Chief of Investigations for the state Bureau of Special Investigations, appointed during the Weld administration and my time as an investigator with the state Office of Attorney General, under Scott Harshbarger, Safety Officer for Westborough State Hospital with responsibility for Campus Police as my credentials for this important job. I was also a civilian lieutenant responsible for security in the federal building in downtown Springfield.”
He added in the post, “I'm running because I think it’s very important I continue my years of service to the people of Massachusetts, particularly the voters of Hampden County. I would plan on bringing a ‘Mutual Aid’ program to the county.”
Comerford is the only Republican in the contest and has received the endorsement of state Rep. Todd Smola, but has heard nothing from the state Republican Party. He added he plans to visit the local Republican Party headquarters in Springfield.
He sees the sheriff’s position as primarily one of a manager and noted Sheriff Michael Ashe’s background was that of social work.
He sees the biggest challenge facing the sheriff as the budget, while he said whoever is in that position must “make due with it.”
As sheriff he would change one priority and get sheriff’s deputies out of the jail and onto the streets to help support local police departments in law enforcement.
“I don’t understand why they can’t do it,” he said. “They are trained and duly sworn in.”
On the hot button issues of opioid addiction, Comerford was quick to say that he is not a doctor and not a social worker, but that as sheriff he would deal with addicted inmates. He laid part of the blame on doctors who have over-prescribed the painkillers that can lead to addiction. He added he doesn’t have all the answers, but as sheriff he wouldn’t be concerned until “it gets to [my] door.”
He is committed to serving one term as sheriff and said referring to Ashe’s tenure, “I think 42 years at the dance is a very long time at the dance. One term should be good enough for anyone.”
He said that when he was considering a run for the office he made a few phone calls to friends. One friend, who works in the Baker Administration, advised Comerford he would need to raise $100,000 to compete in the race.
Comerford rejected the notion and doesn’t plan to raise any outside funds relying on his own resources, “I’d rather knock on your door and tell you what I stand for,” he said.
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