State Sen. Paul Mark coasted to reelection on Tuesday, besting Republican challenger David Rosa to earn a second term representing 57 communities throughout Franklin, Hampshire, Berkshire and Hampden counties.

The Democrat from Becket will be sworn in for another two-year term on Jan. 1. Mark said he hopes to continue focusing on housing, transportation and the environment.

“In the region, I think people are happy with my performance and happy with the amount of outreach,” he said on Wednesday.

Mark said he “felt pretty good” at roughly 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and learned he won 82% of the vote in Berkshire County’s West Stockbridge.

“I’m always grateful for the people of this region for their support. When you run against an incumbent, you’re running against yourself,” he said. “I’m honored to serve and look forward to continuing my work.”

Mark captured nearly 71% of the votes — 61,804 to 25,342 — in the 57 communities, which included the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington in Hampshire County, and Whately and others in Franklin County.

Mark, 45, worked as a lineman for a phone company before attending Suffolk University Law School. He served six two-year terms in the state House of Representatives before running to replace Adam Hinds in the state Senate.

Rosa, a Republican from the Bristol County town of Dighton, said he decided to run because he feels Mark is “a rubberstamper for the Democratic Party right now.” According to the Secretary of State’s Office, the state Constitution requires that a state senator be a resident of the district in which they are elected, by the day of the election. He had planned to establish residency in Pittsfield by Nov. 5 but told the Gazette that he has not relocated to Berkshire County. He said he will still take a move “under serious consideration.”

Rosa said he is not surprised a Republican lost in a predominantly Democratic area.

“I think I had an interesting foray into the world of the Berkshires and the politics therein,” he said Wednesday.

Mark said he is thrilled to get another opportunity to serve and suggested Democrats nationwide learn some lessons about how to appeal to rural voters. He said Kamala Harris’ defeat should send “a strong message to the national Democratic Party that maybe the message has to change a little bit.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.