Paul Mark wins Democratic primary for state Senate

PITTSFIELD — State Rep. Paul Mark received the Democratic Party nomination for state Senate on Tuesday, defeating primary opponent Huff Tyler Templeton III.

Mark, who recently moved from Peru to Becket, defeated Templeton, of Williamstown, to represent the Democratic Party in the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District. With just over 60% of precincts reporting, Mark led 11,483 votes to 2,443, according to The Associated Press. He now moves on to the general election, where he will face unenrolled candidate Brendan Phair, of Pittsfield, on Nov. 8.

The senate seat became vacant when state Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, chose not to seek reelection after a failed attempt at running for lieutenant governor. Mark was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010.

Mark had been endorsed for the seat by Hinds and U.S. Sen. Edward M. Markey, state reps. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, as well as former state Rep. Steve Kulik, D-Worthington.

The district covers the Hampshire County towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington.