Voters in North Adams, Massachusetts have three mayoral candidates to choose from in Tuesday’s preliminary election – two of whom have held the city.
Former mayor John Barrett and businessman Eric Rudd are challenging three-term incumbent Mayor Richard Alcombright who ended Barrett’s 26-year run in 2009. Alcombright says his reasons for seeking reelection go back to that initial decision to run.
“Fiscal integrity, transparency and really opening up government for folks in the community,” explained Alcombright.
Barrett says he’s not running against Alcombright, but rather against the mayor’s priorities.
“I think my priorities in a sense are education, the blight that we see in the city now, an economic development strategy that will work and creating jobs,” said Barrett.
As a political outsider, Rudd says he offers something different than the two men who have led North Adams since 1984.
“Like you, I’ve had enough of higher taxes and fees for lower services and property values,” said Rudd.
The top two candidates will face off in November’s election for a two-year term. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
