State Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (D-Berkshire) wants to see more representation from western Massachusetts in Gov. Maura Healey's administration.

Pignatelli said the western part of the state needs more of a voice and is still lacking in regional representation. He said it's important for local voices to talk about issues like workforce development, housing affordability and transportation in rural towns.

"I just want to make sure that she's paying attention to all the parts of the commonwealth outside of (routes) 128, 495, and that we have a voice at that table," Pignatelli said. "So levels of expertise are not only about the subject matter, but it could also be where you live and where you grew up and where you represent, and I think that should be part of that dialogue as well."

In a statement, Healey's press secretary Karissa Hand said both Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll are committed to making sure every region in the state is represented in their administration.

"They have prioritized hiring members of the administration with ties to Central and Western Mass, including Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao who attended Williams College and has a home in Williamstown and Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer who lives in Barre," Hand said. "Our administration is committed to continued collaboration with Central and Western Mass officials and advocates to continue hiring and appointing strong leaders from across state.”

State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Worcester) agrees with Pignatelli, but said Healey's administration is still in its early stages and he's hopeful the governor will add to her team.

"It's still early," said Moore. "I hope that she does recognize the importance of the other parts of the state, but I'm not going to really criticize anything yet until I see all of her appointments that have been made."

Pignatelli did point to the appointment of Ashley Randle as the commissioner of the state's department of agricultural resources as a positive sign, as Randle is from western Massachusetts. He was also happy with the appointment of Elizabeth Mahoney to the department of energy resources. While she's not from the western part of the state, she did work for former Berkshire state Sen. Ben Downing for several years.