WORCESTER—Joseph M. Petty, Worcester’s 59th mayor, is seeking an eighth term in the city’s November municipal election, running for one of the six at-large city council seats that determine the mayoralty.
A fixture in local politics for nearly three decades, Petty first joined the city council in 1997 and became mayor in 2011.
Raised in Worcester’s Hadwen Square neighborhood by Francis and Bernadine Petty, he attended Holy Name Central Catholic High School, worked nights and weekends at Abdow’s Big Boy Restaurant, and went on to earn a business degree from Nichols College and a law degree from New England School of Law in Boston. Petty lives in Worcester with his wife, Gayle Perrone, and their three children: Nicole, Joseph, and Andrew.
Throughout the nearly 14 years as mayor, Petty has guided the city through major school investments, economic development projects, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. In an interview with the Worcester Guardian, he reflected on his record and outlined his vision for the city’s next chapter.
“Over my years as mayor, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in building a stronger, more vibrant Worcester,” he said.
He highlighted investments in schools, including the openings of North South and Doherty High Schools and Nelson Place Elementary, major upgrades at several other schools, and plans to break ground on the new Burncoat campus. “We’ve also attracted record levels of economic development, from revitalizing our downtown to bringing new housing, businesses, and jobs into neighborhoods across the city,” he added.
Petty said Worcester has remained committed to being a safe and welcoming city for everyone, strengthening sanctuary policies and making sure no one is left out of the city’s future.
He cited several areas where he believes Worcester still has work to do. “We need to keep adapting with the times by modernizing our civil service system so we can recruit and retain top talent, expanding affordable housing and workforce training, and continuing to invest in public safety, infrastructure, and the health of our neighborhoods,” he said.
His decision to run again reflects what he sees as a pivotal moment in the city’s history. “We are currently watching our country fall into chaos at the federal level, and we cannot let that chaos touch Worcester,” he told the Guardian. “I believe a mayor’s job isn’t about being the loudest voice, it’s about having the temperament to bring people together, keep that positive progress going, and guide us through whatever comes next.”
Equity and opportunity are central themes of Petty’s campaign. He emphasized housing as a key priority: “Housing is at the heart of that, and we need all types: affordable, market-rate, supportive, and transitional. We need to be adding about 1,000 units a year to keep up. That’s why I support projects like the Great Brook Valley’s Curtis Apartments redevelopment, which is modernizing and expanding affordable housing. I have consistently supported outside-the-box ideas like tiny homes, ADUs, and Oriol Drive’s supportive housing project. Just as important is helping people stay in the homes they already have, especially our seniors, through targeted assistance and strong partnerships with community organizations.”
Petty also highlighted workforce development and infrastructure as areas where city leadership can make a tangible impact. “I’ll keep backing workforce development efforts like MassHire and keep working to remove unnecessary barriers to city jobs, so that Worcester residents have a direct path to the careers being created here. As we grow, I’ll make sure we invest in the infrastructure and public safety measures, better roads, safe routes for walking and biking, well-maintained parks, and strong community policing that make every neighborhood a place people want to live.”
Recent controversies, including a highly publicized ICE incident, have drawn national attention and local protests. Petty described his approach to these challenges: “I have always been clear that Worcester is, and will remain, a welcoming city. When the recent ICE incident on Eureka Street occurred, I immediately called for a full report and requested that we establish a written policy outlining exactly how the city engages with ICE. Incidents like this can deeply shake the sense of safety for our immigrant neighbors, and it’s our responsibility to restore that trust.”
He addressed his commitment to Worcester’s immigrant communities, pointing to a history of advocacy: “I have consistently supported immigrant and refugee communities, from standing with Afghan evacuees and Haitian refugees to working alongside the LGBT Asylum Task Force, RAFT, and local churches. Worcester already has an executive order in place prohibiting any municipal employee, including police, from asking about immigration status. I will continue to ensure all city staff are trained, using guidance from the Attorney General’s office, on immigrant rights and city policy.”
Looking ahead, Petty said his top priorities for the next term focus on equity, neighborhood safety, and education. “In my next term, I’ll build on that progress—creating year-round internships in city departments, teaming up with local employers to open more career pathways, and making sure every neighborhood benefits from city investments,” he said. “We’ll also keep growing safe, supportive spaces—strong public schools, expanded after-school programs, and community-led violence prevention work that gives our kids the tools and confidence they need.”
Petty described his leadership philosophy as evolving over time, shaped by experiences including the pandemic. “Early in my career, I thought the best way to lead was by focusing on policy details. But I quickly learned that listening is just as important as setting policy. That lesson was reinforced during COVID, when families worried about housing, business owners struggled to reopen, and students adjusted to remote learning. In those moments, people needed more than solutions—they needed to feel heard and supported. The pandemic reinforced that true leadership means showing up with empathy and steadiness. Today, I continue to lead by listening first, bringing people together, and then acting.”
As Worcester heads into a competitive election season, Petty’s long tenure, local roots, and focus on maintaining steady progress are central pillars of his campaign. “I am proud of the progress we’ve made together, but there’s more work to do. I’m running for re-election to ensure that every Worcester resident, regardless of race, neighborhood, or background, has access to opportunity, safety, and a voice in their city’s future. I believe in a Worcester where no one is left behind. Let’s keep moving Worcester forward—together,” 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—or are in the process of reaching 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.
