Dear Essex County Resident,
I hope that this letter finds you well and enjoying the summer.
My name is James Doherty, and I am reaching out to you as both a resident of Essex County and as a voter- asking for consideration of your vote for Essex County Clerk of Courts.
I grew up in a household where public service was not only encouraged but truly valued. My dad, Ed, served the City of Beverly for 12 years as an Alderman-in-large and my mother, Marguerite, was actively in involved in many of Beverly’s community programs.
As for me, I was fortunate to be elected at age 24 and served 8 years as a Councilor-at-Large on what is now the Beverly City Council. I was also elected four times a delegate to the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention and served as Treasurer of the Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention when it was held in Boston.
As for what the Clerk of Courts job is – I like to describe the role as helping to make sure that the Court’s “trains run on time”, both procedurally and as “the keeper of the records”.
As for what qualifications I would bring to the position – decades of legal and procedural experience as both an attorney and serving as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate in the Massachusetts Trial Court.
As for what I would do in the position – I would expand the scope and availability of the Mental Health Courts, Veteran’s Treatment Courts and the Homeless Court Sessions. My present work in those court sessions is the most gratifying work that I do as an Assistant Clerk Magistrate.
As for what I stand for – Accountability – focusing on the “why” people are in court to begin with; Changing the position – from elected to appointed because we need to get politics out of the Courts; and Term Limits – because no incumbent regardless of performance should be elected for 30 years without competition.
Thank you for your time reading this letter and I hope that you will consider voting for me for Essex County Clerk of Courts. Whether you vote in person, or by mail, the Primary election is Tuesday, September 3rd. The election is the day after Labor Day so there could be a low turnout. So, every vote really does matter.
Sincerely,
James FX Doherty