YWCA's Kennedy Signals Run For Chandler's Worcester Senate Seat

WORCESTER, MA — The race for retiring state Sen. Harriette Chandler's seat may have officially began on Monday. Robyn Kennedy, an associate executive director at the YWCA Central Massachusetts, filed paperwork to run for Chandler's seat in 2022.

Chandler announced her retirement on Jan. 26, touching off speculation about who would run to replace her. State Rep. David LeBoeuf has said he's interested in the seat, but has not officially entered the race. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty has also been discussed as a likely candidate.

Kennedy, 40, is a Worcester native and Assumption University graduate who is well known in the region for her work with the homeless during the pandemic and as a fundraiser for cancer research. She works as the associate executive director for mission, programs and community impact at the YWCA.

Kennedy organized a Senate campaign committee on Monday, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Worcester School Committee member Sue Coghlin Mailman is chairing the campaign committee.

Her entry into the race creates the possibility that Chandler's groundbreaking political legacy could live on: the retiring senator became the first woman ever elected to the state Senate from Worcester. She first won the 1st Worcester seat in 2001 in a race against Joseph Early Jr., who is now the Worcester County District Attorney.

Kennedy also enters the race at an electoral and fundraising disadvantage compared to Petty and LeBoeuf, should they run.

Petty is in his sixth term as Worcester's mayor, and has nearly $50,000 in his campaign finance account. LeBoeuf first won his 17th Worcester District House seat in 2018, and has nearly $40,000 on hand.

Related Worcester election 2022 coverage:

• Worcester Activist Mulling House Run After Chandler Retirement
• Creamer Confirms Interest In LeBoeuf's Worcester House Seat