Tara Jacobs was elected in Nov. 2022to fill the 8th district seat vacated by Mary Hurley’s retirement. The 8th district spans all Western Massachusetts including communities in Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and Worcester Counties. A map of the district is here.  

Ms. Jacobs, who is from North Adams, Is a marketing consultant. She served as an elected member of the North Adams School Committee and the chair of the Trustees of the North Adams Public Library. She also served on the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of women, the Northern Berkshire Local Cultural Council, and the chair of the North Adams Democratic City Committee. 

Ms. Jacobs pulled off a surprising victory in the Democratic primary, running against 3 candidates, all lawyers. Mary Hurley who retired from the district 8 GC seat, endorsed one of Ms. Jacobs’ challengers and, according to state campaign finance records, she spent under $10,000, while her three opponents spent between $75,000 and $92,000 each on their campaigns. According to her campaign manager, Jacobs ran a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground, campaign. They traveled to all areas of the 8th district to pick up votes where ever possible rather than concentrating solely on larger population areas.

Ms. Jacobs trounced her Republican challenger, John Comerford 61.8% to 38.1%, (170,120 votes to 104,839). Jacobs and Comerford could not have been further apart on the issues, with Comerford stating in the debate with Jacobs that judges are “100%” too lenient, he doesn’t believe in granting parole and “if people who are poor can’t do the time, then I suggest they don’t do the crime.” In contrast Ms. Jacobs spoke about the importance of pardons and commutations as a “symbol of hope and a reason to work towards rehabilitation.” She also expressed her belief that members of the Council should be active in recruiting qualified and diverse candidates to be judges and members of the Parole Board and make it a “priority to persuade the governor to select them.” 

Ms. Jacobs’ website emphasizes her commitment to “Equity, Inclusion, Accountability and Social Justice for All. She pledges to work on dismantling systemic injustice and promoting accountability and transparency on the part of the Governor’s Council.