"Since beginning our campaign back in July, our message has been resonating with people from all walks of lives and all ages," he wrote on Facebook. "It is a message that gives hope to Northern Berkshire and to the people who live here. In order to carry out our vision, we need to win this election. We need a strong voter turnout, or all the work we have done will have been for naught. 

 

"As your state representative I will work tirelessly on your behalf to make Northern Berkshire the best it can be."

Barrett won Canning's hometown of Lanesborough by 30 votes, 142-112. Of the town's 2,311 registered voters, only 263 votes were cast, or 11 percent. He took Clarksburg almost 4 to 1, with 243 vote to Canning's 63. There were 12 write-ins and turnout of 27 percent. 

 

Only 46 ballots were cast in New Ashford out of 193 voters; Barrett won 24-21 with one write-in vote for Lisa Blackmer. 

 

Williamstown also gave Barrett an easy win of 728-230 but with 95 write-ins. There had been a flurry of activity online about recording blanks or write-ins as protest votes against him, largely because of the hard-nosed reputation he earned during his 26 years as mayor. 

 

There were 156 write-ins and 45 blanks cast in North Adams, which did little to stop Barrett steamrolling Canning 2,588 to 681.

 

Cheshire also handed an easy victory to Barrett 282-113, with four write-ins. Some 399 ballots were cast out of 2,413 registered voters, or 17 percent. Adams polled 842 for Barrett and 193 for Canning.