Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins received the endorsement of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh inside Dorchester’s Florian Hall this past Thursday night.
Surrounded by a teeming crowd of 100-plus supporters representing a mosaic of different ethnicities, elected offices and organizations gathered together in celebration of his birthday, Sheriff Tompkins was delivered an emphatic statement of support by Mayor Walsh.
“When you look around the room and see the diversity, and when you look at the elected officials and consider the diversity of the neighborhoods that they represent, you see the respect that this man has from the community,” said Mayor Walsh. “I knew Steve from the work that he did with his predecessor and I got to know him even better as Sheriff after I was elected as Mayor, and I’ve watched what he’s done with the office. In the past, the job of the sheriff was to take people who were sent to prison, hold them for their sentence, and then open the door and send them on their way. When Sheriff Tompkins came into office, he began working to ensure that people left prison better than they were when they came in. He’s making our streets better and he’s making our neighborhoods better. He’s making an impact across the city and throughout the county, and I’m working to make sure that we send him back into office.”
Returning the sentiment, Sheriff Tompkins spoke about his great appreciation of the endorsement and about the man who had given it.
“This mayor in his first term, following in the footsteps of a 20-year incumbent, has rolled up his sleeves and taken this city into the 21st century,” said Sheriff Tompkins. “Mayor Walsh and I share a couple of things in common,” he continued. “Life wasn’t easy for either of us as we were coming up. But, we both grew up remembering where we came from and wanting to make life easier for those around us based on our experiences. “Together, we are working mightily to make this city, this county and this state the safest and most vibrant place to raise our children to be successful. I am so honored and appreciative to have his endorsement, but, even more importantly, I’m honored to have his friendship.”
Appointed to the position in 2013, Sheriff Tompkins won election in 2014 as a first-time candidate with over 83% of the vote. As the Sheriff of Suffolk County, Tompkins manages all operations at the Suffolk County House of Correction, the Nashua Street Jail and the Civil Process Division. In addition to providing care, custody and rehabilitative support for inmates and pretrial detainees, Tompkins also oversees a management, security, and administrative staff of over 1,000. Sheriff Tompkins holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Boston College and a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the University of Massachusetts.