WEST BOYLSTON – Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis has formally announced that he is running for re-election as Worcester County Sheriff during a campaign kick-off event at Wachusett Country Club on June 23.
During his tenure as sheriff, Evangelidis was the first and only sheriff in Massachusetts to prohibit campaign donations from employees and their spouses.
Additionally, he has increased the hiring standards for correctional officers requiring at least an associates degree and/or honorable military service.
Evangelidis has also overseen the assembly and advancement of a mental health and substance-use disorder treatment building at a correctional facility in the region.
Furthermore, he created an agricultural and organic farming program located at a correctional facility in New England.
The department also supervises the region’s largest winter coat drive and senior citizens picnic and provides free self-defense classes for women in partnership with the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation.
Governor Charlie Baker, who is a supporter of Evangelidis and his re-election campaign, was in attendance.
“There are few people in public service who are as dedicated to improving lives as Lew Evangelidis,” Baker said. “His department has touched and transformed many lives without judgment. This is what Sheriff Lew does, he helps folks emerge from extremely difficult circumstances in life by providing them compassion, hope along with no-nonsense resources and programs to turn their lives around.”
Evangelidis said he is “honored” to serve as Sheriff of Worcester County.
“As your sheriff, I have worked to increase public safety while making our community a safer, better place. I am proud to run one of the finest sheriff’s departments in the nation based strictly on professionalism and public safety with ‘Promises Made and Promises Kept,’” he said.
Evangelidis added, “With our campaign announcement, I am extraordinarily grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of community support I have already received in my re-election for sheriff.”
