TAUNTON — Another Mayoral candidate has entered the race in Taunton following the news of current Mayor Thomas Hoye’s appointment to Bristol County Register of Probate by Governor Charlie Baker earlier this month.

Taunton City Councilor Estele Borges will formally launch her campaign Thursday night at the District Center for the Arts on Court Street. A collection of local elected officials and other supporters are expected to attend the 6:00 p.m. campaign kickoff.

Currently in her third term, Borge has served on the Taunton City Council since 2014. If elected, she would become Taunton’s 50th Mayor, as well as its first female Mayor.

Hoye, a Democrat who has served as mayor since 2012, accepted the Governor’s appointment on August 5, just two days after telling the Taunton Daily Gazette he was running unopposed and planned to submit his nomination papers. Less than an hour after Govern Baker’s office announced the appointment, state Rep. Shaunna O'Connell declared her candidacy for mayor.

The move, particularly Baker, was criticized by the Massachusetts Democratic Party. On Wednesday, the State House News Service reported that Hoye will appear before the Governor's Council on September 4 for a confirmation hearing after what one councilor described as a concerning appointment process.

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