WORCESTER—With the 2025 Worcester municipal election fast approaching, the field of candidates for city council and school committee is taking shape, offering a glimpse into what promises to be a spirited election season across the city.
A wide-open contest is brewing in the at-large council race, with several incumbents aiming to hold onto their seats and a wave of challengers looking to break through.
Mayor Joseph Petty, who currently holds one of the six at-large seats, is seeking re-election, as are veterans Kate Toomey, Donna Colorio, Khrystian King, and Morris Bergman. They’ll be joined on the ballot by Charles Edward Luster, Cayden Davis, Edson Montero, Jessica Pepple, and Jermoh Kamara, a former school committee member now aiming for a council seat. Also in the mix are Gary Rosen, Bernard Iandoli, businessman Satya Mitra, and community advocate Owura-Kwaku Sarkodieh.
Because Worcester’s charter automatically considers all at-large council candidates for the mayor’s job, the race for the city’s top office will draw from the same pool — though only two have confirmed they’re actively pursuing it. As of now, Petty is again vying for the mayoralty, and King has also signaled his intention to challenge for the role.
In the district races, competition is just as intense. District 1 sees a rematch between longtime councilor Tony Economou and challenger Keith Linhares. In District 2, incumbent Candy Mero-Carlson faces a challenge from Robert Bilotta. District 3 features former state representative John Fresolo and school administrator Robert Pezzella. District 4 is a two-way contest between Luis Ojeda and Ted Kostas. In District 5, incumbent Etel Haxhiaj will defend her seat against Jose Antonio Rivera.
The school committee races are no less dynamic. At the at-large level, incumbents Susan Mailman and Maureen Binienda are running for re-election, joined by newcomer Adwoa Sakyi-Lamptey. District-level contests will also give voters a range of choices. In District A, incumbent Molly McCullough is running again, while in District B, Vanessa Alvarez is on the ballot. District C features a matchup between incumbent Dianna Biancheria and Feanna Jattan-Singh. Alejandro Guardiola, Jr. is unopposed in District D. District E presents a competitive three-way race between Kathleen Roy, Nelly Medina, and Noelia Chafoya. Jermaine Lamont Johnson is once again running in District F.
While the list of candidates is largely set, the final ballot won’t be confirmed until after the withdrawal deadline of May 15. A preliminary election will be held on Sept. 2 for any race where the number of candidates exceeds twice the number of seats available — meaning several of these contests are likely to see a first round of voting before the general municipal election on November 4.
Stay with The Worcester Guardian as we dive deeper into the candidates, the issues, and the stakes — and bring readers the stories behind the names on the ballot.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
- The Worcester Guardian is an independent nonprofit news organization. Support local journalism by making a DONATION today.
