A third Democrat has entered the race for Hampshire County sheriff. Melissa E. Perry, 53-year-old Democrat from Northampton, said she filed verified signatures with the secretary of state’s office May 3.

Perry serves as director of behavioral health nursing at Holyoke Medical Center and is also a registered nurse. She earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology from what is now known as Westfield State University, Perry said.

She is also the granddaughter of the late Hampshire County Sheriff John F. Boyle, who served from 1962 to 1984. Perry is vying for the Democratic nomination for sheriff with Patrick Cahillane, 58, of Leeds.

But the field is expected to grow. Kavern Lewis, 28, of Amherst, a Democrat, announced in March that he is running for sheriff, but has not yet submitted all of his signatures to the state, according to the secretary of state’s office.

Lewis said Friday he intends to submit the remainder of his 500 required signatures to the state on Tuesday.

The primary election is Sept. 8, ahead of the Nov. 8 general election. The winner will succeed Robert J. Garvey, who is retiring.

There is one announced Republican candidate, David F. Isakson, of South Hadley.

Perry, Cahillane and Isakson have secured places on the ballot ahead of the May 31 signature-filing deadline, according to the secretary of state’s office. They have each verified at least 500 voter signatures with the local registrar and submitted them to the secretary of state’s office.

Cahillane is the assistant superintendent of the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction and is president of the Hampshire County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

Cahillane earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England University in Springfield.

Lewis said he has taken college courses in criminal justice and completed the first portion of a police program at the state of Maine’s Criminal Justice Academy. He works as a substitute teacher for the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District.

Isakson could not be reached Friday for comment.

Note: This story has been updated to correctly note Cahillane’s educational background.

Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.