WORCESTER—In Worcester’s preliminary municipal election earlier this month, roughly 10% of the city’s registered voters cast ballots. The results, which saw Mayor Joseph Petty lead with 5,994 votes, highlight the changing dynamics between traditional political support and modern voter engagement, with the role of endorsements emerging as a complex and evolving factor in local politics.
“Endorsements still matter, but in a different way,” said Petty. “Voters today are more informed and independent. Endorsements are important signals of trust, but personal conversations and grassroots engagement remain the most powerful tools.”
Owura-Kwaku Sarkodieh, who is also throwing his hat in the ring for mayor, said recently in an online post: “Our city must be a place where every family, including our African community, can thrive. Together, we can build a city that values diversity, promotes justice and creates prosperity for every neighborhood.”
Winners with backing, others struggle
The preliminary results showed varying degrees of success for candidates with strong institutional support. While Petty and Councilor Kathleen Toomey, who received 5,144 votes, benefited from organizations such as the Worcester Labor Coalition and Progress Worcester, other candidates with significant endorsements finished lower in the rankings.
Councilor Khrystian King finished with 4,590 votes for a fifth-place finish and has been endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund.
“Local leaders play an enormous role in our work to advance reproductive freedom, especially in addressing persistent health disparities, improving equitable access to care and opportunities, and dismantling the barriers we face at every intersection of our lives,” Planned Parenthood’s website said. Planned Parenthood has also endorsed Cayden Davis for City Council At-Large and Keith Linhares for District 1. King has not replied to any requests for interview from The Worcester Guardian.
Councilor Morris Bergman, who finished third with 4,685 votes, offered a measured perspective. “Whatever group is endorsing you is giving you their stamp of approval,” Bergman said, “which you hope resonates with the types of voters you want to get support from. I think it’s more of a corroboration.”
Residents weigh in
The relationship between endorsements and voter behavior remains complex. “When I hear that a candidate has received an endorsement, it doesn’t mean much to me personally,” said Worcester resident Jennifer Gaskin. “I don’t weigh endorsements heavily because they often reflect political alliances rather than authentic community engagement.”
“A candidate should be honest, trustworthy and credible and should be prepared to explain why certain people and organizations are supporting their campaign and more importantly the candidate’s issues and priorities,” added voter Maureen Schwab.
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj also reflected on her endorsements. “I have consistently received the endorsements of a variety of organizations, hard working plumbers, painters, health care workers, women’s rights advocates, public sector employees and child care workers to name just some,” she said. “I’m proud that these hard-working people, people that make Worcester’s economy strong, care for our children and elderly parents know that I have their backs and am standing-up for them,” she said.
Endorsements and fundraising
Financial support often accompanies endorsements, as seen in the campaign finance reports. Councilor-at-large candidate Satya Mitra, who placed eighth with 3,406 votes, has raised the most of any candidate — $92,893 — with 24.2% from Worcester-based donors. His filings show many large donations from out of state. Mitra said the support comes from trust built over decades. “Many of these donors, though not residents, have a vested interest in Worcester — through investment properties, business activities, or family ties,” he said.
On the other hand, Mayor Petty’s $88,072 in fundraising shows stronger local ties, with 45.5% coming from city residents. “I’ve always believed leadership begins with listening,” said Petty. “While I appreciate support from leaders and institutions, my decisions are shaped by conversations at neighborhood meetings, community events, and with residents across Worcester.”
Bergman cautioned against overvaluing endorsements. “I think there’s a value to endorsements, but you have to be careful that people from a certain group are going to follow the endorsement. You still have to earn someone’s vote.”
Broader impact across races
The preliminary results show traditional endorsements maintaining influence while voter independence grows. Organizations such as the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, which endorsed candidates including Jermoh Kamara (4,052 votes), continue to play a role in shaping the landscape.
The preliminary election also showed changes in school committee races. In District E, incumbent Kathleen Roy (753 votes) and challenger Nelly Medina (597 votes) attracted attention from education-focused groups, while other districts see unopposed incumbents including Vanessa Z. Alvarez, Alejandro Guardiola, and Jermaine L. Johnson.
For voters such as Gaskin, the focus remains on individual assessment. “If a candidate I liked received an endorsement from a group or person I disagreed with, it wouldn’t automatically change my support,” Gaskin said. “I’d look deeper into the candidate’s own words and actions to see if their values are still aligned with mine.”
Looking toward November
Petty acknowledged the evolution in voter behavior while recognizing endorsements’ continued relevance. “Endorsements reinforce credibility, especially with new voters or those less familiar with my record. At the same time, they open doors to conversations with communities that may not have been as engaged before,” he said.
As Worcester approaches the Nov. 4 general election, where the top six at-large candidates secure seats, Bergman’s words may resonate most: “I think certain groups do follow their leadership endorsement more than others. One of the most important things I’ve learned as an elected official is that you don’t want to assume that people don’t have the independence to vote on their own.”
The preliminary election results and candidate perspectives suggest that while endorsements remain a significant factor in Worcester politics, their influence continues to evolve alongside changing voter behaviors and expectations. “Political connections can be an important source of campaign contributions,” Schwab added. “A candidate’s values are not always apparent, and we as voters hope that they do not deviate too far from priorities if elected.”
Matt Olszewski is a freelance content and news writer based in Boston, MA. In his free time, Matt enjoys running, hiking or skiing. Matt recently graduated with his MPH from Tufts University. He can be reached at mattoskier@gmail.com
