Taunton City Councilor and 3rd Bristol and Plymouth Senate hopeful Barry Sanders has endorsed former Democratic opponent Joe Pacheco in his race to secure the senate seat that represents several municipalities from Wareham to the Rhode Island border.

Sanders said he wants to see someone fill the 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District senate seat who "is going to be accessible, transparent, and passionate about access to behavioral health services, hold corporations like Steward accountable and [who] represents the interests of working families throughout the District and the Commonwealth."

According to Sanders, Joe Pacheco is the only candidate in the race who checks all of these boxes.

After 36 years in state government, longtime 3rd Bristol and Plymouth District Senator Marc Pacheco, no relation to Joe Pacheco, announced he would not be running for reelection.

This spurred a primary election that saw Joe Pacheco and Sanders race to represent Democrats while Republican Taunton City Councillor Kelly Dooner and Independant Jim Dupont threw their hats in the ring.

According to Joe Pacheco he is "honored to receive" support from Sanders and said his one-time opponent “has a proven track record of advocating for those who need a voice both as a social worker and as a Taunton City Councilor."

The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. In Wareham, voters in precincts one and six will cast their ballots at Memorial Hall at 59 Marion Road; precincts two and three will vote at Ethel E. Hammond School, 13 Highland Avenue ; precincts four and five will vote at Redman Hall, 845 Main Street.