Candidates for Bristol County Register of Deeds kick-off their campaigns

The race for Register of Deeds in Bristol County is officially underway as the longtime incumbent and his new challenger each held their campaign kick-off events, gathering supporters for what will be one of the most watched local races this season.

Former Swansea Selectman Christopher Carreiro hosted his event on March 13th at the TA Restaurant in Fall River. Carreiro, an attorney and real estate agent, chose not to run for a third term as selectman and instead decided to throw his hat into the ring for Register, sharing his accomplishments and message to change course in a Facebook video to followers just after the new year.

Carreiro reflected on his kick-off event, thanking supporters who filled the room to capacity for sharing his vision and spoke about what he calls “thirty years of complacency” at the Fall River District Registry and his desire to bring it to the “21st century.”

But incumbent Bernard McDonald came out of the gate with a massive campaign kick-off event, perhaps reminding voters of his longstanding popularity as the Register of Deeds. McDonald has held the role since 1994 and announced earlier this year he would be seeing another six-year term.

The campaign kick-off held last week at the newly remodeled Venus DeMilo in Swansea drew over 300 supporters in support of McDonald’s re-election. His daughter thanked supporters on a Facebook post, sharing that the turnout was “truly humbling.”

Both candidates are registered Democrats and will face each other in a primary scheduled for September 3rd later this year.