Police Chiefs Endorse Republican Candidate For 4th Congressional

NEWTON, MA —Police chiefs across the state endorsed the Republican running to fill the seat that Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy is leaving, as Julie Hall runs against Democrat Jake Auchincloss, a Newton City Councilor.

The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association this week said they supported the retired Air Force colonel and former Attleboro city councilor because she has supported police departments amid statewide calls for reform.

"Your demonstrated commitment to Massachusetts Law Enforcement Officers is greatly appreciated by the men and women in blue across the Commonwealth. In these turbulent times, you stood with us," the endorsement reads.

"I am humbled and honored to receive the confidence of our Police Chiefs across the Commonwealth," she said. "I stand with them, because they want to improve the delivery of law enforcement services with more training and professional development. We must do more to support our police and not engage in foolhardy measures that serve a political agenda and do not serve the people of the 4th Congressional District."

The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association represents police chiefs in 351 cities and towns and 40 colleges and universities in the commonwealth.

Auchincloss was declared the winner of the 4th Congressional District Democratic primary, besting Brookline's Jesse Mermell by about 1.3 percentage points in a contentious race in September. Hall and Auchincloss will face off on Nov. 3 for the chance to replace Kennedy.

The race began after Kennedy announced he would step down to challenge U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in the Democratic primary. That set up a nine-way race for the open seat. Three candidates dropped out, leaving Auchincloss and the more progressive Mermell the two front-runners.

Auchincloss is a Newton native and Harvard graduate who served as a captain in the Marines, commanding an infantry unit in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2012 and a reconnaissance unit in Panama in 2015. He was elected to the Newton City Council in 2015 and re-elected in 2017. He came under fire in the Democratic campaign because of his Republican background and previous stances. Now, Auchincloss has picked up endorsements from the likes of former Gov. Michael Dukakis, former congressman Barney Frank and Kennedy, himself.

Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece.