Register of Probate Candidate Calls Out Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye

SWANSEA — A Swansea Selectman says he’s still interested in running for Bristol County Register of Probate after Governor Charlie Baker appointed Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye to the job on Monday.

Attorney Christopher Carreiro issued a statement Monday night, calling out Hoye for accepting the job after publicly stating on Friday that he intended to seek re-election to the Mayor’s Office.

On Friday, the Taunton Daily Gazette reported that Hoye was running unopposed and planned to return his papers by Monday or Tuesday.

"After reading Mayor Hoye's quotes in the Taunton Gazette from this past Friday, I am extremely surprised to learn that he had intentions of accepting an appointment to Bristol County Register of Probate, on the following business day after 'vowing' to run again and serve his community,” said Carreiro.

“At this time, I continue to be interested in running for this post."

Carreiro officially filed requisite statements and other elections documents with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) last month.  He has experience in local politics, holding his first elected position on the Swansea School Committee from 2010-2015. In 2015, Carreiro was elected to the Swansea Board of Selectmen.

Professionally, Carreiro is an acting attorney and owner of Carreiro Law Office, PLLC. He also works in real estate, serves as a Swansea firefighter and is an instructor at Bristol Community College.

Less than an hour after Baker's office announced the appointment, O'Connell, of Taunton, declared her candidacy for mayor, saying in a statement that "now is the time to bring new leadership to the city with a vision of revitalizing our community, keeping our neighborhoods safe, and holding the line on taxes and fees."

Hoye, a Democrat who has served as mayor since 2012, told the State House News Service Monday afternoon that he plans to resign from his current office, though his timeline to step down is not certain, and will not run in this year's election.