For the first time in over three decades, the Tri-Town and other communities in the 10th Bristol district will have a new state representative on Beacon Hill, and the seat will remain blue, based on the results of the general election Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Democrat Mark Sylvia of Fairhaven defeated Republican Joe Pires of Rochester to represent the district, which includes Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, Fairhaven and parts of Acushnet and New Bedford.

Sylvia received 2,611 votes in Mattapoisett, 1,492 in Rochester and 2,002 in Marion — 49% of the vote across the Tri-Town. Pires received 2,121 votes in Mattapoisett, 2,358 in Rochester and 1,403 in Marion — 47% of the Tri-Town vote.

Results from the 10th Bristol district portion of New Bedford were neck and neck, with 1,288 votes for Pires and 1,285 for Sylvia. In Acushnet, Pires received 1,150 votes and Sylvia received 833. In Fairhaven, Sylvia received 5,278 votes while Pires received 3,907.

Sylvia is chief of staff of renewable energy company BlueWave and previously served under former Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration in various capacities. He is also a former member of the Fairhaven School Committee and has been Fairhaven Town Moderator since 2008.

Sylvia could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday night.

At a gathering with supporters in Fairhaven after polls closed, Sylvia said “we have to focus on the things that matter to our district,” including supporting schools, public safety, and the fishing and cranberries industries as well as protecting the environment and fundamental rights, among other issues he listed.

He told the gathering he was “very excited for the possibility to be your representative in the legislature for the next two years.” 

“There’s a ton of work to be done,” he said.

Pires is a managing partner of basement waterproofing companies Pioneer Basement and Grate Products and a member of the Old Rochester Regional School Committee.

He said he had called and congratulated Sylvia, conceding the race.

“It’s disappointing, but it’s encouraging,” Pires said.

Through his campaign, Pires “connected with so many people” and got a “good sense” of the issues people want fixed, he said.

“I’m going to continue to be an advocate,” Pires said. “I’m going to continue to be a strong voice.”

The incumbent 10th Bristol representative Bill Straus, a Democrat from Mattapoisett, has served in the seat since 1992, a tenure of 16 terms. He announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election.