Politics & Government
Worcester Election Candidates Get Planned Parenthood Endorsements
Five candidates for City Council and five School Committee candidates were endorsed by Planned Parenthood.
WORCESTER, MA — Ten candidates in Worcester's citywide elections have received endorsements from the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund (PPAF) of Massachusetts. The endorsements were split an even five for City Council and five for School Committee. PPAF said the endorsements were given because of the dedication the candidates have to improving the health and wellbeing of all Worcester residents and implementing comprehensive sex education in Worcester Public Schools.
PPAF endorsed Mayor Joe Petty, Councilor At-Large Moe Bergman, Councilor At-Large Khrystian King, and candidate for City Council At-Large Etel Haxhiaj. PPAF also endorsed Councilor Sean Rose (District 1) and Councilor George Russell (District 3). For School Committee, PPAF endorsed Molly McCullough along with several challengers: Dr. Cara Berg Powers, Chantel Bethea, Tracy O’Connell Novick, and John Trobaugh.
“These local leaders share the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund’s vision of a stronger, healthier city in which every young person has the information and resources they need to stay safe and healthy. Each candidate is committed to working with the community to expand access to health care, reduce sexual and reproductive health disparities, and empower young people to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. The Advocacy Fund is proud to partner with them in this work,” said Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, PPAF president.
The organization said parents, educators, public health officials and young people have been calling on Worcester Public Schools to implement a comprehensive sex education curriculum that meets the needs of its students.
To earn PPAF’s endorsement, candidates for city council must promote policies that make health care more accessible and defend reproductive rights; candidates for school committee must champion age-appropriate, medically accurate comprehensive sex education. According to the organizations, each of the candidates endorsed has made clear they are committed to these issues. "Each understands that access to health care and comprehensive sex education play a pivotal role in disrupting health disparities, closing the achievement gap, and establishing economic security," PPAF said in a statement.
Worcester will hold its preliminary election on September 10. The general election will be held on November 5.
