John Barrett III

John Barrett III was born on May 16, 1947, and is a Democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He represents the 1st Berkshire District, which consists of towns including Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, New Ashford, North Adams, Peru, and Savoy. Barrett currently serves as chair of the House Committee on Ethics.

Political Experience

Barrett has held public office in the Northern Berkshires since the mid-1970s. He served as mayor of North Adams for 26 years, from 1984 to 2009, making him at the time the longest-serving mayor in Massachusetts. During his tenure as mayor, he was noted for efforts to revive the city's economy following the closure of Sprague Electric, a leading employer. He was instrumental in supporting the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in 1999 in the former Sprague facility.

Barrett was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives on November 7, 2017, in a special election to fill the seat previously held by Gailanne Cariddi, who had died of cancer. He was reelected in 2018.

Education

Barrett attended North Adams State College, now known as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts , where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. He also received an honorary doctor of public service degree and the distinguished alumni award from the institution. In 2016, he was named to MCLA's board of trustees, on which he served until 2025.