Caccaviello Will Run As Write-In Candidate For D.A.

The Berkshire Eagle reports after losing a primary earlier this month, Berkshire District Attorney Paul Caccaviello has announced he will mount a write-in campaign to hold onto his position.

Caccaviello, who said he is running because of an outpouring of support from the community, announced his write-in campaign in a statement Wednesday.

Caccaviello lost to attorney Andrea Harrington by 692 votes in the three-way Democratic primary Sept. 4. Judith Knight, a Great Barrington attorney, polled third in the race.

Harrington, 43, of Richmond, ran on a pledge to reform the District Attorney's Office, which had been run by David Capeless for 14 years until he retired in March. The governor appointed Caccaviello, who was first assistant district attorney at the time, as Capeless' successor.

While Harrington had the public support of progressive community leaders in the city, including Mayor Linda Tyer, city councilors Kevin Morandi and Melissa Mazzeo and Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler were among Caccaviello's supporters.

Caccaviello, who has worked in the Berkshire District Attorney's office for nearly 30 years, won in 14 of the county's 32 towns, while Harrington took 10 and Knight had eight.

He received 46 percent of the Pittsfield vote, but Harrington won in key municipalities like North Adams and Great Barrington. In Williamstown, Harrington saw her most decisive municipal victory, winning 58 percent of the vote with a 589-vote margin over Caccaviello.

After losing the primary, Caccaviello said running a write-in campaign was "something to consider."

As of Sept. 15, Caccaviello had about $2,137 in his state campaign finance account, including about $700 in donations that came in after the state primary.