Pittsfield Mayor Dan Bianchi will face competition this year in his bid for re-election. Clerk Linda Tyer plans to run for the corner office.Mayor Bianchi is running for a third term, saying he wants to see projects like the Berkshire Innovation Center, new Taconic High School and the reconstruction of North Street completed. Unlike 2013, Bianchi will face a challenger as fellow Democrat and City Clerk Linda Tyer is entering the race. Clerk since 2009, Tyer previously served as a city councilor.
“So I’ve got both perspectives,” Tyer said. “I understand what’s important for the management team that’s trying to run the day-to-day operations of the city. That’s what I’m bringing when I become Pittsfield’s next mayor.”
Bianchi says he is happy for competition.
“As I said I felt a little bit cheated last time by not having any competition,” Bianchi said. “This will give me the opportunity to get out there and campaign and get out and talk about some of the great accomplishments we’ve had and my vision for the city of Pittsfield and share that with many people.”
Under a new city charter, the next mayor will serve a four-year term instead of the current two.
Tyer plans to hold a public announcement on the steps of City Hall today at 5:30.
