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Paul Heroux
Sheriff of Bristol County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 4, 2023
Preceded byThomas M. Hodgson
Mayor of Attleboro
In office
January 2, 2018 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byKevin Dumas
Succeeded byCathleen DeSimone[1]
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 2nd Bristol district
In office
January 5, 2013 – January 1, 2018
Preceded byGeorge T. Ross
Succeeded byJim Hawkins
Personal details
Born1976 (age 47–48)
Taunton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Southern California (BA)
University of Pennsylvania (MS)
London School of Economics (MSc)
Harvard University (MPA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Paul Heroux (born 1976) is an American politician who is the Sheriff of Bristol County, Massachusetts. He previously served as Mayor of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and a State Representative from the Second Bristol District, elected in 2012.

Career

State representative

Heroux served as a state representative from 2013-2017.

Electoral history

Paul Heroux was first elected in November 2012 as the State Representative from the Second Bristol District, Massachusetts.

  • On 6 September 2012, Heroux won a Democratic primary with over 78% of the vote.[2]
  • On 7 November 2012, Heroux defeated Republican incumbent George T. Ross with over 58% of the vote.[3] Representative-elect Heroux was sworn in as freshmen representative on 2 January 2013.[4]
  • On 4 November 2014 Heroux was elected to a second term with 61% of the vote over local businessman Bert Buckley.[5]
  • In 2016, Heroux ran unopposed for reelection and received 99.6% of the total votes cast for state representative.[6]

Issues

Heroux's work as a state representative included creating a $38 million school internet infrastructure grant program that offered money to school districts all over Massachusetts,[7][8] was a cosponsor of the transgender public accommodation bill,[9] which is now law as the Massachusetts Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Initiative,[10] was a cosponsor of the ban on gay conversion therapy,[11] which is now law,[12] adding money to several state budgets for homeless children's programs,[13] and fought to try to get the state to measure prison program outcomes on reducing recidivism.[14]

Mayor

Paul Heroux served as mayor of Attleboro, MA for five years from January 2, 2018 until January 3, 2023.

Electoral history

  • On 19 September 2017, Heroux came in first in a mayoral preliminary with 46.5% against 7-term incumbent Kevin Dumas, handing Dumas his first political defeat with 41.5%, and 12% for former fire chief Ronald Churchill.[15]
  • On 7 November 2017, Heroux defeated 7-term incumbent Kevin Dumas with 54% of the vote.[16]
  • On 5 November 2019, Heroux defeated challenger and city council vice president Heather Porreca 67% to 32% for the race for mayor.[17]
  • On 21 September 2021, Heroux came in first in a three way preliminary obtaining 65.9% of the vote to his two competitors' 25.8% and 8.3%, respectively.[18]
  • On 2 November 2021, Heroux won 66% of the vote against his opponent Todd McGhee winning a third and final term as mayor.[19]

Issues

As mayor, Heroux pushed the redevelopment of the city center,[20] prioritized business support,[21] prioritized education spending by repairing roofs that leaked for 20 years,[22] boosted education funding and created a special education stabilization fund,[23][24] maintained the city's AA bond rating despite hard financial times inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[25] Heroux created a rent and mortgage assistance program for Attleboro residents who fell behind on rent and mortgage payments to help avoid evictions and foreclosures.[26][27][28] Heroux has made efforts to recruit women and people of color fill vacancies on city boards and commissions.[29] Heroux promoted advanced training in unconscious bias, duty to intervene to prevent excessive force, and de-escalation training for city police officers,[30][31] and made sure that every firefighter has two sets of protective fire gear for the first time in city department history by funding in the budget every year.[32] Heroux made news across the country when he implemented a strict zero tolerance policy for people who leave dogs in hot cars,[33][34]

The Sun Chronicle said "Paul Heroux will surely go down as the most environmentally-conscience mayor in Attleboro’s history."[35] During Heroux's tenure as mayor, he has taken many decidedly pro-environmental positions. These include purchasing the bankrupt privately owned Highland Country Club and turning it into the city owned Highland Park[36] and putting a monarch butterfly population in the new park,[37] making all city government buildings 100% wind powered,[38] ordered city workers to use recycled paper products whenever practicable and cost effective,[39] formed a special committee to update the city's Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan and Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Report to prepare for the possibility of greater impact from climate change,[40][41] changing all of the city street lights and city building lights to LED lights,[42] moving the city fleet of vehicles to hybrids where possible,[42] putting solar panels above city owned parking lots,[42] making Attleboro a Green Community,[43] banning single use plastic bags,[44] banning plastic and Styrofoam take away cups and containers from restaurants and convenience stores,[45] banning body and face washes that have plastic exfoliating beads,[46] banning the intentional releasing of balloons into the air,[47] banning the distribution of plastic straws, the sale of fluorescent light bulbs containing mercury and bee killing insecticides containing neonicotinoids.[48] Heroux also submitted ordinance proposals that would triple the Wetland Protection Zone,[49][50][51] and ban single use plastic water bottles, and plastic miniature alcohol bottles.[52] Heroux is also seen around the city picking up litter with his dog or with groups of volunteers.[53]

In 2017, on the day of the preliminary election, Heroux was featured by several media outlets for being bitten by a dog the day before while campaigning for mayor, his sixth dog bite in 5 years.[54][55]

Sheriff

On 10 January 2022, Heroux announced he is running for Sheriff of Bristol County, Massachusetts against incumbent Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson.[56][57]

  • Heroux won the Democratic primary on September 6 with 41.8% of the vote, while the other two candidates received 33.5% and 24.7%.[58]
  • Heroux defeated Hodgson in the general election on November 8, 2022 with 50.9% to 49.1%.[59]

Heroux took office on 4 January 2023.[60] Heroux started new recruitment and retention incentives,[61] hired an expert to review inmate suicides,[62] released the suicide report unredacted and redesigned the bunk beds to make them more suicide resistant,[63] and offered a plan to close the Ash Street jail, which is the oldest jail in operation in the country.[64] Heroux extended the training academy for new corrections officers from eight weeks to nine weeks to add classes focused on de-escalation, dealing with mental illness, duty to intervene, and implicit bias.[65] Heroux reduced the burden of a high commission on optional inmate commissary goods from 31.75% to 20%, a 12% reduction in what inmates pay, and started providing shower sandals to all inmates; Heroux called it "unconscionable" that inmates were forced to buy shower sandals from the commissary or go without.[66]

Personal life

Heroux was raised in Attleboro to small business drug store owners.[67][68] He was awarded the 'Most Genuine' class superlative from his 1995 high school class for a complete abstinence to alcohol and drugs.[69] Heroux holds two Ivy League master's degrees; one from Harvard University, a master's in Public Administration, and the other from the University of Pennsylvania, a master of science in Criminology, respectively, a master of science in International Relations from the London School of Economics, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Southern California.[69] In 2017, Heroux published a book on US foreign policy in the Middle East,[70][71] has lived in Saudi Arabia,[72] and has been to North Korea,[73] Israel and Palestine including the West Bank.[74]

Prior to elected office, Heroux worked in the Philadelphia jail system, as the director of research in the Massachusetts prison system, for the national security think-tank Institute for Defense and Disarmament Studies, as an English teacher in Saudi Arabia, and with kids for seven years at a YMCA.[75] Heroux, after earning instructor level ranks, also taught Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Jiu Jitsu at a studio he opened at 19 years old.[69]

From October to November 2018, Heroux took a 12-day, 8,500-mile (13,700 km) road trip across 24 states and Canada with his dog Mura, posting pictures on his Facebook page. The trip went viral after being picked up by news outlets across the United States and in dozens of countries.[76][77]

References

  1. ^ "DeSimone pulls off surprise win in Attleboro special mayoral election".
  2. ^ Rhodes, George (6 September 2012). "Democrat Heroux to take on Ross for Attleboro state rep. race in November". The Sun Chronicle. SUN CHRONICLE STAFF. Attleboro: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2019. Heroux got 78 percent of the 1,428 votes cast in the contest, beating Kane 1,118 votes to 310.
  3. ^ Rhodes, George W. (7 November 2012). "Heroux sweeps to victory". The Sun Chronicle. Attleboro: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2019. Heroux piled up 58 percent of the vote to overwhelm the one-term, 63-year-old incumbent, who served seven terms on the City Council before his election to the House two years ago.
  4. ^ Hand, Jim (3 January 2013). "City lawmaker newest member from area". The Sun Chronicle. Boston: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2019. When Paul Heroux raised his right hand to take the oath of office as Attleboro's new state representative Wednesday...
  5. ^ Rhodes, George W. (4 November 2014). "Paul Heroux re-elected as state representative, defeats Bert Buckley". The Sun Chronicle. Attleboro: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2019. State Rep. Paul Heroux cruised to a second term, crushing Republican challenger Bert Buckley with 61 percent of the vote in Tuesday's state election.
  6. ^ "Massachusetts general election results for State Representative in all districts in the year 2016". state.ma.us. 2016. Archived from the original on 25 December 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  7. ^ Hand, Jim (June 30, 2014). "Attleboro area legislators make mark on tech bill to improve school, public safety access". The Sun Chronicle.
  8. ^ Hand, Jim (October 17, 2013). "Heroux plan would net schools $38M for technology". The Sun Chronicle.
  9. ^ Heroux, Paul (9 June 2016). "HEROUX: 'Bathroom bill' doesn't endanger children's safety". The Sun Chronicle. Attleboro: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021. Massachusetts passed historic legislation protecting the civil rights of transgender people. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the bill.
  10. ^ "Restrictions for Massachusetts restaurants easing on Monday". news.yahoo.com.
  11. ^ Khan, Kay (19 January 2017). An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors (PDF) (Act 1190, House Docket 1606). Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Massachusetts becomes 16th state to ban 'gay conversion therapy'". NBC News.
  13. ^ Hand, Jim (May 1, 2014). "Little complaint by Attleboro area legislators on $36.2B House budget". The Sun Chronicle.
  14. ^ "Letters: Readers react to fatal cop shooting". 17 April 2018.
  15. ^ Rhodes, George W. (19 September 2017). "Dumas will face Heroux in Attleboro mayor's race". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022. Mayor Kevin Dumas came in second for the first time in his political career at the hands of State Rep. Paul Heroux Tuesday as a field of three mayoral candidates was narrowed to two.
  16. ^ Hand, Jim (7 November 2017). "Heroux sweeps city, defeats Dumas". The Sun Chronicle. Attleboro: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2019. A reluctant candidate, state Rep. Paul Heroux was elected mayor Tuesday, defeating seven-term incumbent Kevin Dumas by a 54 to 46 percent margin.
  17. ^ Rhodes, George W. (6 November 2019) [2019-11-05]. "Attleboro mayor wins second term by a landslide". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  18. ^ Sun Chronicle Staff (21 September 2021). "Attleboro voters narrow mayoral field to Heroux, McGhee". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  19. ^ Rhodes, George W. (2 November 2021). "Heroux soundly defeats challenger to win third term as Attleboro mayor". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  20. ^ Peterson, Stephen (27 August 2021) [2021-08-25]. "Attleboro alley has a new look thanks to local artist". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  21. ^ Rhodes, George W. (May 14, 2020). "Downtown Attleboro businesses get state grants to help with coronavirus shutdown". MassDevelopment. The Sun Chronicle.
  22. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Attleboro library and school roof projects on track". The Sun Chronicle.
  23. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "$152M budget presented to Attleboro's city council". The Sun Chronicle.
  24. ^ Hand, Jim. "Heroux boosts education spending but Attleboro school board says more needed". The Sun Chronicle.
  25. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Attleboro maintains bond rating, financial outlook stable". The Sun Chronicle.
  26. ^ "Our View: Mayor's rent-relief plan a good start". The Sun Chronicle.
  27. ^ Peterson, Stephen. "Attleboro mayor announces up to $500,000 in rental assistance". The Sun Chronicle.
  28. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Attleboro mayor expands rental assistance plan to mortgages". The Sun Chronicle.
  29. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Attleboro has more than 30 volunteer jobs open". The Sun Chronicle.
  30. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Attleboro police get training to prevent excessive use of force". The Sun Chronicle.
  31. ^ Linton, David (September 24, 2020). "Attleboro police complete bias, de-escalation training, mayor says". The Sun Chronicle.
  32. ^ "Mayor: City will purchase second set of gear for Attleboro firefighters". July 3, 2019.
  33. ^ Rhodes, George W. (26 July 2018). "Attleboro begins issuing costly tickets for leaving dogs in hot cars". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  34. ^ "Mayor adopts zero tolerance policy against leaving dogs in hot cars". WFTV. July 7, 2018.
  35. ^ "Our View: A change for the better".
  36. ^ Rhodes, George W. (June 26, 2018). "Attleboro City Council votes to purchase Highland Country Club property". The Sun Chronicle.
  37. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Monarch butterfly garden taking root in Attleboro's Highland Park". The Sun Chronicle.
  38. ^ "Attleboro turning to windmills to power City Hall, other municipal buildings".
  39. ^ "Attleboro mayor adds new effort to his green agenda".
  40. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  41. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Attleboro committee will tackle natural hazards, climate change in all-day session". The Sun Chronicle.
  42. ^ a b c Rhodes, George W. (October 13, 2019). "Mayor plans to steer police cruisers, other city cars, toward hybrid gasoline-battery powered vehicles". The Sun Chronicle.
  43. ^ Hand, Jim (February 4, 2020). "Attleboro wins Green Community designation and $244,000 grant". The Sun Chronicle.
  44. ^ Rhodes, George W. (January 8, 2019). "Plastic bags banned in Attleboro". The Sun Chronicle.
  45. ^ Peterson, Stephen. "Attleboro banning plastic and Styrofoam cups, food containers in restaurants, convenience stores". The Sun Chronicle.
  46. ^ grhodes@thesunchronicle.com, George W. Rhodes. "Attleboro City Council rejects bans on single-use plastic bottles, nip bottles". The Sun Chronicle.
  47. ^ Rhodes, George W. (22 December 2020). "Releasing batches of balloons banned in Attleboro". The Sun Chronicle. Attleboro: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021. On an 8-2 vote last week the city council banned the intentional release of balloons by "any person or group" and created a $20 fine for violations.
  48. ^ Rhodes, George W. (22 December 2020) [2021-06-02]. "Attleboro City Council OKs ban on plastic straws". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  49. ^ Reilly, Tim (25 September 2021). "Our View: City needs to follow a greener path". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  50. ^ Studebaker, Tim (4 March 2021). "Attleboro Mayor proposing expanded wetland protection buffer zones". WLNE-TV. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  51. ^ Rhodes, George W. (18 August 2021) [2021-02-26]. "Mayor proposes expansion of Attleboro's wetland protection zone". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  52. ^ Rhodes, George W. (8 September 2020). "Attleboro mayor proposes his own 'green new deal'". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  53. ^ Rhodes, George W. (6 April 2021). "Attleboro mayor adds street cleaning to job duties with many pitching in". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  54. ^ Burton, Paul (19 September 2019). "Attleboro Mayoral Candidate Attacked By Dogs On Campaign Trail". WBZ-TV. Attleboro: CBS Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2019. A candidate for Attleboro mayor is running into trouble on the campaign trail. He's been attacked by dogs over and over while knocking on doors to win votes.
  55. ^ Hand, Jim (18 September 2017). "The dog-eat-dog world of politics takes a bite out of Heroux". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  56. ^ Nesi, Ted (10 January 2022). "Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux will challenge Bristol County Sheriff Hodgson". WPRI-TV. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022. ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux is jumping into this year's race for Bristol County sheriff, giving longtime incumbent Thomas Hodgson a high-profile challenger. Heroux confirmed his decision Monday in an interview with 12 News, after saying last month he was considering a run for one of two higher offices in 2022. He noted that he has previously worked in corrections facilities in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and that he oversees the police force in Attleboro. "I would like to take the Bristol County jail system and turn that into a national model of evidence-producing corrections with a focus on reentry and reducing recidivism," Heroux said.
  57. ^ Rhodes, George W. (10 January 2022). "Attleboro mayor declares candidacy for sheriff of Bristol County". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022. ATTLEBORO — Mayor Paul Heroux announced Monday afternoon that he intends to run for sheriff of Bristol County against four-term incumbent Thomas Hodgson.
  58. ^ NEWS, NBC 10 (2022-09-07). "Heroux wins Democratic primary for Bristol County sheriff". WJAR. Retrieved 2022-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  59. ^ "PD43+ » 2022 Sheriff General Election Bristol County".
  60. ^ Rozas Rivera, Adrianna (4 January 2023). "Heroux becomes first new Bristol County sheriff in 2 decades". wpri.com.
  61. ^ Silvia, Michael (3 February 2023). "Bristol County Sheriff's Office rolls out new recruitment and retention incentives". NewBedfordGuide.com.
  62. ^ Ferro, Marcus (February 2, 2023). "Bristol County Sheriff Heroux Contracts with Inmate Suicide Prevention Expert". 1420 WBSM.
  63. ^ Mulligan, Frank (April 14, 2023). "All 7 inmate suicides at Bristol County House of Correction since 2017 involved bunk beds". The Standard Times.
  64. ^ Linton, David (January 30, 2023). "Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux leads lawmakers on jail tour, offers two options on closure". The Sun Chronicle.
  65. ^ Silvia, Michael (April 7, 2023). "Bristol County Sheriff extends training academy with priority on de-escalation, duty to intervene". NewBedfordGuide.com.
  66. ^ Turley, Elizabeth (June 30, 2023). "Bristol County sheriff: Commissary products will cost inmates 12% less". wpri.com.
  67. ^ Rhodes, George W. (November 11, 2020). "Popular Plainville pharmacy closes after decades of service". The Sun Chronicle.
  68. ^ Rhodes, George W. (July 1, 2021). "County Square Pharmacy in Attleboro sold". The Sun Chronicle.
  69. ^ a b c Reilly, Tom (30 October 2021). "Paul Heroux: 'I love what I do'". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  70. ^ Heroux, Paul (3 February 2017). The Aftermath of Intention: The American Legacy in the Middle East. Independently published. ISBN 978-1520522531.
  71. ^ Hand, Jim (6 February 2017). "Attleboro state rep pens book on history of Middle East, terrorism". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  72. ^ Heroux, Paul (19 August 2010). "HEROUX: Understanding elusive for Saudis, Americans". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  73. ^ Hand, Jim (13 August 2013). "Attleboro state Rep. Paul Heroux gets a rare, inside glimpse of North Korea". The Sun Chronicle. ISSN 1053-7805. OCLC 16645175. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  74. ^ Hand, Jim (January 5, 2017). "Heroux will visit Palestinian territory on West Bank". The Sun Chronicle.
  75. ^ "Representative Paul R. Heroux". malegislature.gov.
  76. ^ Hand, Jim (12 November 2018). "Attleboro Mayor's Mura and the media go international". The Sun Chronicle. Attleboro: The Sun Chronicle. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019. Mayor Paul Heroux's 8,500-mile road trip with his terminally ill dog Mura has gotten national and international media attention, all the way from Providence to Hamburg, Germany.
  77. ^ "Mann macht mit todkrankem Hund "Reise seines Lebens". Berliner Morgenpost (in German). Attleboro: Berliner Morgenpost. 11 December 2018. Archived from the original on 19 November 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019. Paul Heroux adoptierte seinen Hund Mura, als er erst wenige Wochen alt war. Inzwischen ist der Shikoku, eine japanische Hunderasse, zehn Jahre alt und der beste Freund des US-Amerikaners.
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