Berkshire County's second largest city, North Adams, is holding its mayoral primary Tuesday. And it's the first time an incumbent has not been on the ballot since the Reagan administration.
There have been just two mayors in North Adams since 1984.
John Barrett held the seat for 26 years, before losing to Dick Alcombright in 2009. And this year, Alcombright decided not to run for re-election.
Alcombright said he's happy to be sitting this one out.
"It has been different," he said. "Every other November or every other October, you're kind of running for your life, so to speak. It's been good to watch from the sidelines."
Five candidates are on the primary ballot in North Adams, with the top two moving on to November's general election.
This is one of three open mayoral seats up for grabs in western Massachusetts this year, with the others in Agawam and Easthampton.
