WORCESTER—If you glanced at Worcester’s preliminary ballot as of last week, you may have noticed a surprise: four names listed under the mayoral contest, not two. Alongside incumbent Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Council Vice Chair Khrystian King, at-large candidates Owura Sarkodieh and Edson Montero also appeared — prompting questions on social media about whether they were actually in the race.
This week, both clarified their status. Sarkodieh told The Worcester Guardian he is officially running for mayor, while Montero announced he is not, despite his name remaining on the ballot.
“After careful thought and discussions with my family, I will not be seeking the office of mayor,” Montero said in a statement. “My focus remains on serving Worcester as an at-large councilor. I want to make it clear to voters so there is no confusion.”
Sarkodieh makes it official
For Sarkodieh, the decision to stay in the mayoral contest reflects his desire to broaden the debate about Worcester’s future.
“Worcester is at a crossroads,” he said. “We have incredible opportunities but also serious challenges around housing, education, and economic development. I want to bring new energy and new ideas to the table.”
Sarkodieh’s platform centers on tackling the housing shortage, supporting small businesses, and increasing transparency at City Hall. He described Worcester’s diversity as a core strength and said he hopes to make municipal government more accessible to residents.
A father and longtime city resident, Sarkodieh has worked in finance and runs a small business. He has also been active in local community organizations.
Ballot quirks explained
Worcester’s municipal elections follow the city’s Plan E form of government, which makes the mayor’s race unlike most others. All at-large City Council candidates are automatically listed as mayoral candidates unless they formally withdraw by a set deadline. But there’s a catch: winning the mayor’s race also requires winning one of the six at-large council seats.
That means a candidate who gets the most votes for mayor but fails to place in the top six for council would not become mayor at all. In that case, the mayor’s seat would go to the at-large candidate who received the highest number of mayoral votes and secured a council seat.
The system also determines the City Council’s leadership. The winning mayor becomes chair of the council, and the runner-up for mayor—so long as they, too, land an at-large council seat—serves as vice chair.
The field ahead
With Montero stepping aside, Worcester voters will see three active candidates for mayor this fall: Petty, King, and Sarkodieh.
Petty, who has served as mayor since 2012, is seeking reelection. King, who announced earlier this year, has emphasized government accountability and police reform. Sarkodieh joins them with a focus on housing and economic opportunity.
Stay with The Worcester Guardian as we track the 2025 municipal election, bringing you in-depth candidate profiles, coverage of debates and community forums, and the latest updates on Worcester’s races for mayor, city council, and school committee. From local issues that affect everyday life to the stories behind the names on the ballot, we’ll make sure readers have the information they need to make their voices heard this November.
