Incumbent Tara Jacobs pulled away with a clear margin of victory in Tuesday’s Democratic state primary in her pursuit of a third term, fending off challenger Michael Fenton.
With no Republican challenger, Jacobs will be unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election.
As of midnight, the 26 municipalities in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region that were reporting results indicated 10,078 votes for Jacobs, compared to 2,811 votes for Fenton. Results from the Associated Press have Jacobs earning 62.1% of the vote as of midnight, equating to a total 55,875 across District 8. More than 77% of the results were in hand at the time.
Jacobs, of North Adams, has served as the District 8 councilor since 2023. Outside of her role on the council, Jacobs serves on the North Adams School Committee and the North Adams Democratic City Committee, and works as a marketing consultant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from Tufts University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University.
Fenton, of Springfield, is a lawyer with offices in Springfield and Northampton, specializing in commercial finance, commercial real estate, business planning and estate planning. He has served on the Springfield City Council for the past 16 years and earned his law degree from Western New England University, where he also serves as an adjunct professor.
Notably, Tuesday marked a rematch for Jacobs and Fenton. The 2022 primary saw Jacobs narrowly win a four-way contest, with Fenton coming up 2,300 votes shy. Jacobs was then reelected after running unopposed in 2024.
The Governor’s Council, also known as the Executive Council, is made up of eight elected individuals, with each district representing about 12.5% of the state’s population. The council meets weekly to issue its consent on state treasury warrants; confirm the governor’s judicial appointments and appointments to statewide boards, including the Parole Board, Appellate Tax Board and Industrial Accident Board; and review proposed pardons and commutations.
Terms are for two years, and District 8 covers 102 cities and towns in western Massachusetts, including all of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties, as well as a handful of municipalities in Worcester County.