Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey made a political swing through greater Springfield Thursday.
Markey endorsed fellow Democrat Nick Cocchi for Hampden County Sheriff, praising the department’s response to the opioid crisis as a national model.
" We need law enforcement people who understand this threat and understand what has to take place in order to deal with it," said Markey. " It is the single largest issue in the state of Massachusetts right now."
Cocchi, who is the top supervisor at the county jail is running to succeed Sheriff Mike Ashe, who is retiring after 40 years in office.
Markey also campaigned with Democratic State Senator Eric Lesser of East Longmeadow, who is seeking reelection to a second term.
