Chris Markey officially announces candidacy for District Attorney
Chris Markey speaks at the Fall River District Court. Photo by Kat Sheridan
Chris Markey embraces a supporter.
Some of the crowd posing with Chris Markey and his team.
Chris Markey announces his candidacy.
Chris Markey introduces his daughter to a supporter. 
About a hundred supporters gathered to hear Chris Markey announce his candidacy.
Chris Markey speaks at the Fall River District Court. Photo by Kat Sheridan
Chris Markey embraces a supporter.
Some of the crowd posing with Chris Markey and his team.
Chris Markey announces his candidacy.
Chris Markey introduces his daughter to a supporter.
About a hundred supporters gathered to hear Chris Markey announce his candidacy.
After 15 years as the state representative for the Ninth Bristol District, Chris Markey officially announced his candidacy for Bristol County District Attorney to a crowd of about 100 supporters on Saturday, Jan. 31.
“I pledge to be the fearless district attorney you would want if your child was a victim of a crime,” Markey said. “I also pledge to be the thoughtful and fair minded district attorney if your child was ever to be charged with a crime.”
He is looking to focus on improving the District Attorney’s Office through new hires and new technology.
Markey stated one of his first acts as the district attorney would be to hire a team of forensic psychologists, because crime is heavily tied to the complex mental health crisis, according to Markey. This position would work for both the victims and the accused.
“The mental health expert will educate our staff, determine effective, proper and individualized diversion programs for offenders who are suffering from true mental illness,” said Markey, “And also refer witnesses and victims who have suffered through the criminal process to allow them to have power.”
He has plans to make sure new lawyers hired in his office become experienced and dedicated with “good principles,” pairing new lawyers with experienced mentors.
“Really focus quite a bit on training and developing a staff that is going to be ready to take on the challenges of … the next generation of … crimes,” said Markey, “Whether it be from crimes, from social media that developed that, crimes that are affecting our neighborhoods, but also being prepared for the most violent offenders.”
He added, “I would say the biggest challenge [for the District Attorney’s Office] is making sure their staff is well trained and well prepared, and making sure that they have the tools to make it the best law office.”
Part of this plan to improve the District Attorney's Office includes community outreach to schools, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA and the elderly. He also wants to modernize with any new technology that comes out that could aid the courts.
Markey stated he would focus on making sure the District Attorney's Office has the financial resources necessary to work on issues such as cold cases, hoping to pull on relationships he has formed for consultations if he becomes the district attorney.
Markey has 32 years of courtroom experience after graduating from New England School of Law, now known as UMass Dartmouth Law School. He started his career as a victim witness advocate, and continued through district and superior courts before becoming a state representative in 2010. He previously served as the Assistant District Attorney for Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton.
He has overseen cases in both the district and superior courts throughout the years, and a large part of his platform is based on this experience.
“I have the experience, I have the commitment and I have the courage to fight the good fight,” said Markey.
