WORCESTER—Cayden Davis wasn’t born in Worcester, but he proudly calls it home. Nearly a decade after heading south from a small town in Maine to study at Clark University, Davis has put down roots in the city’s Main South neighborhood. Now, the 29-year-old public health professional and openly trans man is hoping to make City Hall his next stop.
Davis is among a crowded field of candidates vying for a Worcester City Council At-Large seat in the November 2025 election. In an interview with the Worcester Guardian, he said his run is motivated by a desire to represent the working-class residents, renters, and marginalized communities he says are too often left out of decision-making.
“Over the past several years I’ve felt immense frustration at the lack of responsive, proactive leadership,” Davis said. “Worcester deserves more than business as usual.”
Davis, who works as a project coordinator at MetroWest Care Connection, has focused much of his professional life on harm reduction, coalition-building, and policy advocacy. He holds a master’s degree in community development and a bachelor’s in political science, both from Clark.
His campaign platform centers on housing justice, public health, and increasing government transparency. Citing the city’s rising rents and subsequent wave of displacement, Davis supports tenant protections, rent stabilization, and stronger enforcement of housing safety standards. He also wants to see more investment in deeply affordable housing and creative uses for vacant properties.
“This isn’t just about affordability; it’s about displacement,” he said, adding that Worcester’s housing crisis requires structural change. One proposal he backs: offering tax relief to small landlords who keep rents affordable.
Davis also said that there’s a huge need for increased public health infrastructure, including support for harm reduction programs, overdose prevention centers, and non-police crisis response teams. As a renter and longtime advocate, he said he understands both the urgency of residents’ struggles and the limitations of current city policies.
“We don’t have to accept the idea that we can only do the bare minimum,” he said. “I believe we can build a city that works for everyone, not just those with wealth or political connections.”
On governance, Davis is calling for participatory budgeting, expanded public access to information, and stronger community review processes. He also wants to eliminate barriers to civic engagement, especially for renters, working people, and immigrants.
His identity as a trans man is something he speaks about with pride and purpose.
“I bring both professional expertise and lived experience,” Davis said. “As someone who’s worked since age 14 and navigated low wages and unstable housing, I understand what many in Worcester are going through.”
He describes his approach to politics as rooted in mutual aid and community care. He points to projects such as the Woo Fridge as examples of neighbors supporting neighbors outside of government systems.
In public health, Davis favors expanding community-based mental health services and harm reduction initiatives, including overdose prevention centers and non-police crisis response teams. He also backs the Vision Zero safety framework and supports free-fare public transit to improve access to work, healthcare, and education.
In the wake of Worcester’s controversial involvement in a federal immigration arrest earlier this year, Davis has also been vocal about the need for more proactive immigrant protections. When asked about the city’s handling of the ICE incident on Eureka Street in May, Davis criticized the lack of clarity around local police cooperation with ICE. He called for tighter policies that would prohibit WPD assistance and advocated for stronger oversight, including a civilian review board with subpoena power.
“People deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods,” Davis said. “Our city should be leading with care, clarity, and accountability. That means putting protections in place before people get hurt— not scrambling to respond afterward. Worcester’s immigrant communities deserve proactive policies and leadership that will stand up for their rights, not just when it’s politically convenient, but every single day.”
On public transparency, Davis proposes participatory budgeting, increased visibility in city contracts, and more community input early in the decision-making process. He said that local government often asks residents for feedback without giving them a real seat at the table.
“I’m not backed by special interests — I’m accountable only to my neighbors,” he said. “Worcester’s government should work with people, not around them.”
Throughout the campaign, he says he’s stayed connected to residents through door-knocking, community events, and open conversations.
“This campaign — and any position I hold — is only possible because of community,” he said. “I’m not backed by special interests. I’m accountable only to my neighbors.”
Looking ahead, Davis said he plans to stay grounded in community engagement through in-person conversations, social media updates, and accessibility for residents who don’t often get to weigh in.
“I believe our city is stronger when we invest in community-based solutions and recognize that caring for each other is not only powerful—it’s necessary.”
Davis is one of 14 certified candidates for the citywide At-Large race. The general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4.
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.
