PITTSFIELD, Mass. -  Brendan Phair is an unenrolled candidate in the race for the Massachusetts Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden state Senate seat.

What You Need To Know

  • Brendan Phair and state Rep. Paul Mark are running for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden state Senate seat
  • Incumbent state Sen. Adam Hinds did not seek reelection while pursuing the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor

  • Phair has worked in Berkshire public schools since 2008 when he began his career as a tutor

  • Mark's seat in the state House of Representatives will be gone in 2023 due to re-districting

Phair spoke with Spectrum News 1 about education, business and energy costs in the region. He said the bigger issue is population numbers and making the district a more desirable place to live and work.

“We need to retain and attract people and businesses here," Phair said. "We’re having some population decline in certain areas of western Massachusetts which is causing the school enrollment to go down. We have the third highest energy costs in the country. That’s a big obstacle for companies to stay here, especially industrial heavy duty-type manufacturing companies.”

Phair's opponent, state Rep. Paul Mark (D-Berkshire), was unable to meet with Spectrum News 1 before election night.

Phair said he believes in using sources of available energy and disagrees with only pushing clean sources like wind and solar. He calls himself pro-2nd amendment, pro-business, and is for tax cuts - stances which he says set him apart from his opponent and other area lawmakers.

“I feel I have a better understanding of what policies are positive and which ones are negative, which ones work and which ones do not work," Phair said. "I feel we’re heading in the wrong direction. So between high energy costs, people moving out, I really feel I’m more in tune with what is beneficial for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden county.”

Spectrum News 1 reached out to Mark’s campaign last week and again Monday. He was elected in 2010 as the representative for the 2nd Berkshire District. He calls himself a champion for working class issues including student debt relief and combating the climate crisis.