PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouiver has confirmed she will seek re-election for a third full term.

 

The Democrat won the office in a special election in 2011 after Christopher Speranzo took a lifetime appointment in Berkshire Superior Court. Farley-Bouvier first defeated Peter White and Ryan Scago in the Democratic primary and then Green-Rainbow Party Mark Miller, Republican Mark Jester, and independent Pam Malumphy in the general election. She ran unopposed in the following two elections. 

 

She'll face competition in 2016 with Ward 4 Councilor Christopher Connell's announcement that he intends to seek the 3rd Berkshire representative seat.

 

"This is a democracy and I encourage people to run. And I'm confident to run on my record," Farley-Bouvier said when asked about competition.

 

Farley-Bouvier served on the City Council from 2004 until 2008. She then was hired as director of administration for former Mayor James Ruberto before running for the state office. She currently sits on the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, and the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.

 

In responding to Connell's announcement, Farley-Bouvier confirmed that she would seek re-election and questioned Connell's intention to continue to serve on the City Council if elected.

 

"While it is legal to collect these two paychecks, it is not logistically possible," Farley-Bouvier said. "He's either fooling himself or fooling the voters."

 

Connell said he hasn't decided if he'll run on a party ticket or as an independent; he is the first challenger to an incumbent in the Berkshire delegation. If there is a primary, it would held on Sept. 8. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 8. 

 

State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, D-North Adams, and state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, have both affirmed that they will run for re-election.