Mary Clare Higgins, a Democrat, was elected to her first term as mayor of Northampton in November, 1999. An openly lesbian mayor, the city's first, Higgins was elected to a fifth two-year term in November, 2007.
Before becoming mayor, Higgins worked in early childhood education. As a member of the Northampton City Council, Higgins was widely viewed as a progressive politician. Despite her reputation, she has been dogged by critics in recent years who question her administration's handling of a number of development projects in the city, including the siting of a Hilton hotel on property adjacent to Pulaski Park, the demolition of the former Northampton State Hospital and efforts by the city to expand its municipal landfill over the Barnes Aquifer.
