WORCESTER—Incumbent At-Large Councilor Kathleen “Kate” Toomey is seeking her 11th term on the Worcester City Council, citing decades of civic and professional experience that she says make her uniquely equipped to continue serving the city.
A longtime public servant, Toomey has also worked in education, senior care, addiction treatment, and currently reentry services with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. She’s a wife, mother of three Worcester Public School graduates, and grandmother of three. She previously served three terms on the Worcester School Committee before being elected to the council in 2005.
“My experience and work ethic bring value to the council,” Toomey told the Worcester Guardian. “I have in-depth understanding of how departments work.”
Toomey said she’s most proud of her recent work supporting Worcester’s public safety departments—including backing the police policy review board, funding the crime gun unit and crisis intervention training, and advocating for the new South Division fire station. She also pointed to increased diversity in police and fire recruit classes and vehicle acquisitions for the fire department.
Her list of accomplishments includes work on the Hero Act, which she says improved veterans services, and what she calls the “many small, everyday interactions I have with constituents assisting them with their needs.”
If reelected, Toomey said her top priorities include pushing for the completion of Burncoat High School and a future plan for East Middle; economic development efforts around Polar Park, Route 20 and elsewhere; and continuing to address affordable housing and infrastructure needs.
“I believe Worcester is evolving rather than changing,” Toomey said. “Our job as councilors is working with the city manager to ensure we keep moving in the right direction.”
Asked how she engages with residents, Toomey said she remains active in the community and believes accessibility is essential. “Being a public servant is one of the highest honors one could have,” she said.
Toomey also reflected on what she’s learned over nearly two decades on the council.
“It’s not always about headlines,” she said. “Even if you don’t have the answer someone wants, getting back to them to explain why or why not is important.”
On the city’s recent response to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) incident on Eureka Street, Toomey said she believes the Worcester Police Department “behaved very professionally in a very difficult situation.”
“We have policies that are in place since Eureka Street and have been reiterated,” she added. “The manager has communicated these policies.”
Toomey has also been active in numerous community organizations, including Park Spirit and SOFA (Save Our Fine Arts). She founded Set for Success, a school supply drive that helped more than 10,000 local children over 10 years.
“I am grateful to be a public servant,” she 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.
