Worcester Activist Mulling House Run After Chandler Retirement

WORCESTER, MA — A reorganization in Worcester's political scene is likely following state Sen. Harriette Chandler's retirement announcement on Wednesday as potential candidates begin to weigh their 2022 options.

On Thursday, Worcester community organizer Nelly Medina responded to questions about whether she'll run for state Rep. David LeBoeuf's seat if he runs for Chandler's seat. LeBoeuf said on Wednesday he is only considering a run for the 1st Worcester District Senate seat.

In a statement Thursday, Medina said she is "thoughtfully considering [her] options" about a run.

"However, more focused creative conversations have to happen before I throw my rose into the ring; campaigning is an all-hands-on-deck operation," Medina said. "There is no question whether I am committed to social change, labor justice, and educational equity and infrastructures.

"Will my running for office take away from the progress and cross-culture solidarity and much-needed social and policy change liberation? Still, the district will need someone at the state House like Rep. LeBoeuf, who listens and considers first what communities throughout the district need, with a real connection to all people, to create and vote on bills and make new laws to protect our public policies."

Medina is a well known activist and works as an organizer for Massachusetts Jobs With Justice and with the Parents Union of Massachusetts (PUMA).

Guillermo Creamer, who ran for an At-Large Worcester City Council in 2021, has also been talked about as a candidate for LeBoeuf's seat should LeBoeuf run for state Senate. Creamer is also on the Worcester Human Rights Commission and founder of the nonprofit Pay Our Interns.

LeBoeuf's 17th Worcester District seat was turned into a majority-minority opportunity district after political lines were redrawn in 2021 following the release of 2020 Census figures.

If LeBoeuf runs for Senate, he may be running against fellow Democrat and Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty. Petty hasn't disclosed his 2022 plans yet, but would not have to step down from his roles as mayor and as an At-Large City Councilor to run.