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, 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.

Mark said he had not received a call from Rosa conceding the race.

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 Greenfield Recorder 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. Of the 10 towns in southern and western Franklin County that are part of Mark’s Senate district, only Monroe favored Rosa. There, he claimed 32 votes to Mark’s 31.

“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.”

Whipps bests Raymond for 2nd Franklin District

Following a victory over challenger Jeffrey Raymond, state Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, said she is “humbled” by the strong response from the 2nd Franklin District. The vote counts in all nine of the Franklin County and North Quabbin towns located in the 2nd Franklin District came out in favor of Whipps.

Whipps, who won a fifth term in office, wrote in an email that she was elated to see the results, and saw it as “a great affirmation that people see the work I do and appreciate my efforts.”

“Serving the people of this district is an honor and I look forward to continuing to be their voice and their connection to our state government,” Whipps wrote. “I have to mention my administrative aide Rachel McMahon Kennedy, who manages my office and assists in constituent services. She’s a gem and an integral part of my team.”

Raymond, a Republican, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who worked as a firefighter/EMT for 36 years. He drives a school bus and sits on the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Committee.

Raymond last challenged Whipps in 2022.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120. Athol Daily News Editor Max Bowen contributed to this report.