Steve Xiarhos Announces Campaign for State Representative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2020

SANDWICH – Retired Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steve Xiarhos officially announced on Thursday that he is running as a Republican candidate for State Representative in the Fifth Barnstable District.

Speaking before a large audience of supporters at the Sandwich American Legion Hall, Xiarhos announced his intentions to seek office as a way of continuing his career of public service.

“I’m not a career politician or a serial candidate for public office,” said Xiarhos. “But, I am a long-standing believer in the power of government to be a positive force in people’s lives…. I am proud to announce that I am running for State Representative in the Fifth Barnstable District this fall.”

The event was sponsored by the Committee to Elect Steven Xiarhos, which is led by David Sampson, who is also Chair of the Sandwich Board of Selectman.

Xiarhos cited his forty-year career with the Yarmouth Police Department as a basis for his strong desire to help others. “If there is one thing that you know about me, it’s probably that I am passionate and tireless about making people’s lives better,” Xiarhos said. He also discussed his extensive involvement in the community and in charitable activities. In particular, he spoke about his work for the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund, which is dedicated in honor of his son, a Marine who died in combat in Afghanistan in 2009.

“One of the things I always mention [about Nicholas Xiarhos] is the passion he had for being a leader,” Xiarhos said. “He was never afraid to ‘raise his hand.’ He was always willing to step up and serve when others were in need of help. And, he did it with courage, honor, dignity, and integrity. I admire those qualities so much, not only because I’m forever proud of my son, and not just because they’re noble ideals, but also because they’re important elements of how I see my own sense of character and the work I’ve done throughout my career. They’re also important building blocks for what I see ahead when I am elected to serve as your next State Representative. I’m looking for a new way to set a good example and ‘raise my hand.’”

Looking ahead to his campaign, Xiarhos cited several issues that are important to him. Stemming from his career in law enforcement, he stated a desire to continue work on public safety issues, including criminal justice reform to keep violent criminals and drug dealers off the streets. He also prioritized work on fighting opioid abuse, and opposing so-called “sanctuary cities.” He vowed to continue the work of his predecessors to be a strong fiscal conservative and to protect taxpayers. Xiarhos said he wants to work with colleagues to improve infrastructure, including the condition of the canal bridges, but that he also opposes raising the state’s gas tax and wants to keep the bridges toll-free. He further expressed interest in working to protect environmentally-sensitive areas on the Cape, but said he opposes having Massachusetts join the multi-state Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). He affirmed his commitment to protect constitutional rights, including those guaranteed by the First and Second Amendments. And, Xiarhos stated his desire to help protect the needs of students, seniors, first responders, and Veterans.

Xiarhos finished by pledging to remain accountable and accessible to those he would represent. “Serving others through my work [has become] an important part of who I am, my values and what I believe in, and what motivates me in my life today,” he said.

About Steven Xiarhos

Steven Xiarhos is a resident of Barnstable and a Republican candidate for State Representative in the Fifth Barnstable District (Sandwich, Barnstable Pcts. 11 & 12, Bourne Pcts. 1, 2 & 7, and Plymouth Pct. 9).

Steve spent forty years serving the people of Cape Cod as a member of the Yarmouth Police Department, retiring in late 2019 from the position of Deputy Chief of Police. Throughout his career, Steve attended numerous specialized training courses and is a graduate of the Babson College Command Training Course and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. He is the recipient of 22 various police department awards and decorations including Officer of the Year, Yarmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year, Rotary Club of Yarmouth Vocational Service Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Officer of the Year, and the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission Rosenthal Award.

Steve also remains active in many charitable and civic causes. This includes, but is not limited to, the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund (which was created in memory of Steve’s son, Nick, who was a Marine killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2009). Currently, Steve serves on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund and the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation; as well as a Volunteer for Wounded Warrior Project Cape Cod Soldier Ride.

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Watch Steve’s Announcement Speech