4 Worcester Mayor Candidates On Ballot In 2021

WORCESTER, MA — Four candidates will compete in 2021 for the Worcester mayor's seat, including five-term incumbent Mayor Joseph Petty.

The other three Worcester mayor candidates include: At-Large Councilor Donna Colorio, who is also vying for a second Council term in 2021; activist Bill Coleman; and funeral home director Peter Stefan.

Worcester has a unique way of choosing mayoral candidates. After the At-Large Council candidates are certified, each one must decline to run for mayor. The ones who do not decline enter a dual mayor-At-Large Council race.

There are 10 people running for At-Large City Council seats in 2021. The top six vote-getters will be elected. Those candidates are:

• Bill Coleman
• Donna Colorio (i)
• Guillermo Creamer
• Joseph Petty (i)
• Kate Toomey (i)
• Khrystian King (i)
• Matthew Wally*
• Morris Bergman (i)
• Peter Stefan
• Thu Nguyen

To win the seat in the November election, mayoral candidates must come in first in that race, but also win an At-Large seat.

Since Worcester has a city manager, the mayor does not serve as the chief administrator like in Boston or Framingham. The Worcester mayor does serve as the chair of City Council and as a member of the Worcester School Committee.

The 2021 mayoral race is very similar to 2019. Petty competed against Colorio and Coleman, and Owura Sarkodieh. Petty won the race with about 60 percent of the vote.

*Wally is the sitting District 5 City Councilor but has opted to run for an At-Large seat in 2021.

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