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.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
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