Narrow win for Higgins in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins is breathing a sigh of relief after a tight victory on Election Night.

Higgins defeated City Councilor Michael Bardsley by a slight margin of about 300 votes.

Mayor Higgins celebrated her victory at Paradise City Tavern on Tuesday night. She told 22News said she welcomed Bardsley’s competition because it allowed her to reconnect with voters.

“I haven't had a hotly contested race for a couple of years. It's very helpful to have a race, because you get to talk about the things you've done,” she said.

Higgins said she heard the calls for change in the city in this latest election. Voters overwhelmingly rejected expanding Northampton's landfill, something she said she will take into consideration.