John DaCruz has served as Ludlow selectman for six years.
John Da CruzSPRINGFIELD – Democrat John P. Da Cruz of Ludlow is running for Hampden Superior Court clerk in the fall elections.
Da Cruz, a long-time private lawyer who has just ended his six years as a Ludlow selectman, said he has always enjoyed public service and believes his diverse legal background fits well with the clerk position.
Brian P. Lees, a Republican, has been clerk since 2007. He could not be reached Tuesday about whether he plans to run for reelection.
DaCruz, who was born in Springfield but grew up in Ludlow, worked for three years when he graduated law school as an assistant district attorney under former Hampden District Attorney William M. Bennett.
He got an undergraduate degree in finance from Western New England University and then got his law degree at the School of Law there.
DaCruz, 43, said he has 18 years experience in criminal and civil law and has practiced in many courts in this county and other parts of the state.
“I think it would be an easy transition for me,” DaCruz said of the clerk position.
He said he is in the early stages of his campaign and will be registering with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance and putting together a campaign committee.
If there are other Democratic candidates besides DaCruz there would be a primary. If not, DaCruz would face any Republican candidate in the general election in November.
Serving as Ludlow selectman has made him familiar with funding issues, DaCruz said.
He said the town has had to do more with less money.
But, DaCruz said, he also knows it’s important to aggressively lobby for more funding.
“That’s part and parcel of being in a political office,” DaCruz said.
DaCruz said he is active in a number of different organizations in Ludlow, such as the Gremio Lusitano Club, organized with the purpose of bringing Portugese people together, and the town’s Polish American club.
He has been active in the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club and does probono legal work for his church, Our Lady of Fatima.
Lees was paid $109,800 in 2011, according to state records.