SALEM — Jonathan Blodgett may still lay claim to the title of Essex district attorney until midnight on Wednesday, but at a ceremony Monday morning, he for all intents and purposes relinquished his duties to District Attorney-elect Paul Tucker, who won a contested Democratic primary in September.
Tucker, a state representative representing Salem and the city’s former police chief, took the oath of office during a ceremonial swearing-in at the Salem High School auditorium attended by Blodgett, who opted not to run for re-election last year after two decades in office, as well as Blodgett’s predecessor, Kevin Burke, who served as Essex district attorney from 1979 until 2003.
Numerous members of the state legislature, including state Reps. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn), Tom Walsh (D-Peabody), and state Rep.-elect Jenny Armini (D-Marblehead), as well as state Sens. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and Joan Lovely (D-Salem), attended the event, with Lovely serving as master of ceremonies.
The ceremony began with a processional led by Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger and his predecessor, Frank Cousins, who were followed by police chiefs from across the county as well as current and soon-to-be-minted assistant district attorneys. When Burke and Blodgett processed into the room, they were greeted with rousing applause and a standing ovation from the audience. Tucker arrived alongside Lovely and received a similarly warm welcome.
Following the procession, the Salem High School ROTC presented the colors, before giving way to Tucker’s granddaughter, Abigail, who led the audience in the pledge of allegiance, followed by a performance of the national anthem by Witch Pitch — Salem High’s a cappella group — and an invocation by Rev. Julie Flowers of the First Baptist Church of Beverly.
In his remarks, Burke said he recognized a common thread between himself, Blodgett and Tucker that made him confident the district attorney’s office was in good hands: integrity and humility.
“When John [Blodgett] and I took office, it was important that we understood that and we did and we tried hard and hopefully we succeeded [in] operating as close to using those two characteristics as themes in the office. And most of you know Paul Tucker. It is not a leap to suggest if you would describe Paul Tucker’s character, those two words — integrity and humility — come right to mind,” Burke said. “I remember sitting talking to Paul about him running for DA and that’s all I can think of. This guy already has it. He doesn’t have to prove it. He’s got it and he’s shown it — as a police officer, as a police chief, as a state representative. He’s shown to the world he has those elements.”
Burke said he and Blodgett felt “wonderful” about Tucker’s selection as the county’s next top law enforcement official because of a belief that Tucker has the experience necessary to get just outcomes from the criminal justice system.
“Some of it is to be done with the speed of light … the way you’re allowed to do that, the way you feel good about your judgment, the way a police officer feels good about what happens to those faces, the way your defense counsel feels good about the outcome of cases, the way the community feels safe, is to know that you have someone who has good judgment and exercises great leadership, integrity, humility good judgment, great leadership. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Paul Tucker,” Burke concluded.
When Lovely introduced Blodgett, who spoke next, the crowd once again leapt to its feet and roared with applause, celebrating the man who has led the district attorney’s office for most of the century.
Blodgett quickly tried to quell the applause, saying, “It’s Paul’s day.”
In his remarks, Blodgett — a Peabody resident — reflected on his relationship with Tucker, who he said he has known for 35 years. As a result, Blodgett said, he’s been able to see firsthand the way in which Tucker demonstrated “professionalism and commitment and success in doing his job.”
“These observations have afforded me the ability to test the kind of person he is, to the skill set he possesses, to his thoughtful and calm demeanor, and to his impressive history and previous public service,” Blodgett said. “As a police chief and legislator, Paul practiced compassion and accountability, unwavering commitment to the citizens of Salem, and those qualities will now serve all the citizens of Essex County — especially victims of crime. And I look forward to what I’m sure will be a successful tenure as you take the reins of the Essex district attorney’s office in your capable hands.”
Blodgett gave way to Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice David A. Lowy, a former assistant district attorney under Burke, who said he believed Tucker may be uniquely prepared to serve in the office, where he will represent all 34 cities and towns in the county.
“Paul Tucker has been a police chief, a legislator, an adjunct college professor. In every position, he has not just thrived — he has soared. As chief of detectives, DA-elect Tucker didn’t just give the orders. He was out on the street with the detectives. As a legislator, he served on the Public Safety Committee and the Judiciary Committee with great distinction,” Lowy said. “As an adjunct professor for 22 years with criminal justice, [he] inspired a generation of young people to be the best they could be through his instruction, his experience and his example. I say with confidence that you will not find District Attorney Elect Tucker languishing in his office day in and day out.”
“He will be like he has always been out in the community with an ear to the ground, a finger pointing forward, and leading from the front,” Lowy continued.
At the close of Lowy’s speech came what Lovely dubbed, “The moment we’ve all been waiting for” — Tucker taking the oath of office.
As he prepared to do so, members of his family came to the stage to stand behind him, as Judge Randy Chapman, the first justice of Salem District Court, administered the oath. When Tucker said the final words of the oath — “I will support the constitution of the United States” — Champan replied simply, “Congratulations, district attorney.”
Tucker then delivered a speech of his own, beginning by explaining how his victory in September’s primary was “bittersweet,” as he faced the prospect of leaving the legislature, and he said he would greatly miss his colleagues in the state House, where he represented the 7th Essex District for eight years.
He offered particular praise for Lovely, who he dubbed an “extraordinary legislator, a wonderful person and the hardest working public servant that I’ve ever worked with,” leading the audience to erupt with a round of applause.
Tucker thanked his family for supporting him and for being at the ceremony Monday morning, and said he was “honored” by the presences of Lowy and Chapman. When he launched his bid for district attorney, Tucker said, he did so with “the greatest respect” for Burke and Blodgett, who represent a combined 44 years of service to the county.
“In every day of my administration, I will strive to uphold the high vital public service that each set,” he said.
He then pivoted to laying out some of the priorities for his tenure — beginning with continuing the work Blodgett has done with juvenile offenders, and the role Blodgett played as an advocated for victims.
Tucker said it was his belief that “better outcomes for defendants make better outcomes for public safety and better outcomes for society.”
“Those words stayed with me every day on the campaign trail, as I talked to people touched by substance use disorder and mental health struggles,” he said. “It means looking for better outcomes for our veterans who become court involved and it also means knowing the difference between someone caught in the grip of addiction who needs our understanding and our treatment and someone trafficking in fentanyl, a substance that has taken so many lives and destroyed so many families. That offender must face an appropriate penalty.”
He concluded by telling the crowd, “What we can do together can be life changing — trust me.”
