WORCESTER—City Council Vice Chair Khrystian King has never been shy about challenging Worcester’s political establishment. A social worker of more than 30 years and a five-term at-large councilor, King says his bid for mayor is about “listening, leading, and delivering results” for working families who feel left out of the city’s progress.
“I’m running because Worcester is at a crossroads,” King told the Worcester Guardian. “Families are being priced out, neighborhoods feel overlooked and too often the city’s decisions prioritize developers over residents.”
King’s campaign builds on a record he describes as rooted in evidence-based decision-making and social work principles. Since joining the council in 2016, he’s positioned himself as both an advocate for affordability and a critic of what he calls “dysfunction” in City Hall.
“I’ve fought for kids by reestablishing after-school opportunities and advocating for mental health support for students, youth, and adults,” he said. “I’ve also pushed for improved police accountability, including differential response models that put mental health workers alongside law enforcement. This policing approach has proven effective in our city, even assisting in de-escalation and saving lives.”
King contrasts his housing record with that of incumbent Mayor Joe Petty, arguing that his own votes have favored renters and homeowners struggling with costs. “My record shows that I stand with residents,” King said. “That’s the leadership I’ll bring to the mayor’s office—always voting in the best interest of the people.”
Born in Massachusetts to parents who emigrated from Bermuda, King earned degrees from Wheaton College, Simmons College and Suffolk University. Before entering politics, he spent decades with the Department of Children and Families, while also mentoring young people through the Crompton Park Summer Basketball League.
He became the first Black man elected citywide in Worcester in 2015 and remains one of the council’s most vocal progressive voices. King helped found the local group Black Families Together and co-founded the Black and Latino Municipal Caucus.
King’s priorities—housing, homelessness, and affordability—run through nearly every issue he raises. He says the city’s response to homelessness must be rooted in compassion rather than criminalization.
“Homelessness is not a moral failing,” King said. “Our response has to be compassionate, coordinated, and effective.” His proposed measures include expanding permanent supportive housing, growing the city’s network of social workers and outreach workers, and improving shelter capacity “with dignity.”
King has often called for more transparency and responsiveness in city government, saying that residents “deserve to see their mayor in their neighborhoods, not just at photo ops.”
He pledged to hold regular public forums across the city and increase multilingual outreach, adding, “I will hold myself to the same standard of accountability that residents expect of the city manager and every public servant.”
Reflecting on nearly a decade on the council, King said he’s learned that “leadership is about persistence, accountability, and coalition building.”
“The most important progress happens when you listen, respect differences, and build partnerships across them,” he said. “That’s the approach I’ll take as mayor: practical, accountable leadership that gets things done.”
King has frequently clashed with current leadership, most notably during debates surrounding the Department of Justice investigation into the Worcester Police Department. He has also been outspoken on issues of equity and inclusion, among the councilors who supported Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen after they stepped away from their seat earlier this year, citing transphobia and discrimination. Though Nguyen’s name remains on the roll call, they are no longer active on the council. King has continued to advocate for Worcester to be, as he put it, “a city that must be welcoming to all.”
King, who lives in Worcester with his wife Tatiana and their three daughters, often describes his campaign as a continuation of his life’s work in advocacy and service. “My journey from social work to public service has always been about listening to people, standing with them in tough times, and working every day to make Worcester a city where everyone can thrive,” he said.
This article is part of the Worcester Guardian’s 2025 election coverage. As part of our ongoing series, we are publishing individual candidate profiles and stories related to key issues facing the city ahead of the Nov. 4 municipal election. We have reached out to every candidate running for Worcester City Council and School Committee. If you are a certified candidate and would like to ensure you are included, please contact us at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
