Sheriff candidates prepare for November elections in Franklin and Orange counties

Voters in Franklin County and Orange County will head to the polls on November 3 to elect new sheriffs.

In Franklin County, three candidates are competing to fill the remaining two years of a six-year term. The candidates include interim Sheriff Lori Streeter, Northfield Police Chief Jon Hall, and former corrections officer Gary Gagnon. Streeter, who was appointed by Governor Maura Healey following the departure of Christopher Donelan, cited her decades of experience within the department and her leadership through recent financial challenges as key qualifications.

In Orange County, Republican Jacob Held and Democrat Sean McRae are running for the sheriff's seat, which is open following George Contois' decision not to seek re-election. Both candidates identified drug use as a primary public safety concern. Held, a sergeant with the sheriff’s department, proposed advocating for laws that allow police to take action against individuals under the influence. McRae, a former dispatcher and patrol officer, emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between the sheriff’s office, community services, and treatment providers.