There is lots of activity and opportunity on the political scene of the SouthCoast of Massachusetts as the winter turns to spring.

Mayor of Fall River: Incumbent Jasiel Correia II will face at least one challenger this year now that City Councilor Richard Cabeceiras has announced his campaign for mayor. The politics of Fall River have been in turmoil for a long time and the voters have repeatedly proven they are willing to make a change. Correia currently has over $55,000 in his war chest compared to $187 in Cabeceiras' campaign account.

Register of Deeds: J.Mark Treadup, the current Reg. of Deeds for Southern Bristol County, will retire on March 1, 2017 leaving the vacancy to be filled by a majority vote of the Bristol County Commission. The selection of the commission will have the job for the remainder of Treadup's term in office, approximately 20 months at a salary of over $90,000 a year. Numerous individuals have applied for the job of which the chief qualification is being able to count to two - two votes of the commission. Sec. of State Henry Kissinger was often credited with having the inside track on the political winds and was simply referred to a "The K" by the insider class. Greater New Bedford may have it's own "Mr. K" after the votes are counted for this political job.

Ward 3 Special Election: The current is moving swiftly in the Ward 3 special election and one candidate is quickly setting himself apart from the other candidates. Hugh Dunn, a former staffer to Cong. William Keating has picked up the endorsement of the New Bedford Fire Fighters Union along with the endorsement of former Ward 3 Councilor George Smith. According to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Dunn is the only candidate in the race to have completed the process of setting up an account to legally raise and spend money. Jill Ussach serves on the Massachusetts Republican State Committee and has instant access to the party's financial resources should she choice to utilize them and I understand there have been conversations about this topic.

Mayor of New Bedford: Everyday that goes by means Mayor Jon Mitchell is more and more likely to be unopposed should he seek reelection. Only State Representative Tony Cabral has the financial resources on hand to launch a last minute campaign should something suddenly change in the city.

Chris McCarthy is the host of Sunday Brunch on 1420 WBSM New Bedford.  He can be heard most Sundays from 10am-1pm (depending on Red Sox/Patriots schedules).  The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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