WORCESTER — Mayor Joseph M. Petty announced Monday that he will run for an eighth two-year term, extending a mayoral tenure that began in 2012. Before taking the city’s top office, Petty served as a Worcester city councilor for more than a decade, having first been elected to the council in 1997 and taking office in 1998. He is scheduled to formally launch his campaign during a news conference at Burncoat High School on Tuesday, April 22. In a statement released by his campaign, Petty said he will run on “his continued commitment to education, affordable housing, public safety, economic development — and to being a mayor who brings people together.”
Over the course of his seven terms as mayor, Petty has overseen several major projects and initiatives. One of his most visible successes was helping to bring the Boston Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate to the city, resulting in the construction of Polar Park in Worcester’s Canal District—a project he called “one of the biggest and most important economic development projects” the city has ever undertaken.
Petty’s administration also oversaw the completion of the $200 million South High Community School, replacing a decades-old facility with a modern, energy-efficient building praised for serving the city’s growing student population. His team also led the effort to secure state funding and launch planning for the full replacement of Burncoat High School, a top capital priority for Worcester Public Schools.
Petty has further credited the city’s economic momentum to close coordination with local colleges, nonprofits, and developers. After his 2023 re-election, he told Spectrum News 1 that “people and developers are coming into the city” because of a “good, cooperative, collaborative working group” at City Hall.
Additionally, Petty recently backed a ballot question that would require private higher education institutions in the city to contribute 0.5% of their endowments annually to a community impact fund to help finance affordable housing and development initiatives.
Petty’s administration, however, has also drawn criticism. In early 2024, At-Large City Councilor Thu Nguyen accused Petty of misgendering them during a council meeting. Nguyen called the workplace climate “toxic” and announced a hiatus from council duties, citing LGBTQ+ discrimination. Petty apologized, stating the misstep was unintentional, and added that “everyone deserves the dignity of having their identity honored and respected.”
Additionally, in December 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice released a report finding that the Worcester Police Department, under Petty’s tenure, engaged in a pattern of excessive force and sexual misconduct. Petty responded by stating he took the findings “very seriously” and requested further details from the DOJ to process the report fully. He emphasized the need for compassion and empathy towards those impacted, including members of the BIPOC community and survivors of the commercial sex trade .
City Council Vice Chair Khrystian King, who finished second in the 2023 five-way race with 27% of the vote, is once again challenging Petty. King announced his candidacy in February and has since criticized the administration for “divisive politics” and lack of transparency.
What’s next
Nomination papers become available May 1, and candidates must file by mid-summer to appear on the ballot. If elected again, Petty would become the first Worcester mayor to serve 16 consecutive years. The preliminary municipal election is scheduled for September if needed, with the general election set for November 4.