Unopposed: Worcester D3 Councilor George Russell On 2021 Bid

WORCESTER, MA — A large swath of southern and central Worcester will not see a competitive City Council race in 2021. That's because District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera and District 3 Councilor George Russell are running unopposed.

But even if their reelection is a given, Worcester Patch wanted to find out why the two Councilors are running in 2021, what they plan to do in the next term — and if they have any ideas about how to boost interest in local politics.

Russell, 64, is one of the most senior members of the Council, first winning the southeast Worcester D3 seat in 2011 (coincidentally, the same year Rivera first won her D4 seat). He's won reelection easily each year since, only facing a challenger once in 2017. Russell defeated Davis Kwabena Asare with almost 73 percent of the vote that year.

Why did you choose to run for reelection in 2021?

In short my reasoning for running again is to "keep up the good work."

Constituent services is a big part of the job of being a district councilor. I take the job very seriously and believe that I can continue to help get services that my District and it's constituents are looking for. I don't take anything or anyone for granted. I work hard on a daily basis building relationships with all residents in the District and beyond that request assistance or direction.

On the policy side of the Council, I want to see many issues that I have advocated actually implemented. Those include the implementation of a new financing plan for the conversion of private streets into public paved streets. I also look forward to working with the administration as they implement the some of the programs I have advocated for to make Worcester cleaner.

You're running unopposed this year. Does that concern you? What's one way the city could get more citizens involved in local politics?

I like to think that one of the reasons I am unopposed is because of my hard work in all parts of this district. I am very responsive and work every day to make sure everyone is heard and their issues addressed. A good way for us to get more residents involved is to reach out and advocate more volunteers on boards and commissions. The way I started in local government was by being on the Planning Board for about eight years.

What's your top priority for your next term?

I would like to continue the role that I play in the neighborhoods as an advocate as well as a leader on the Council floor encouraging my colleagues to move in a direction that remembers we are sent here to do the people's business and not get distracted by personal squabbles or national issues we have little or no control over.