WORCESTER—A week after the election, Worcester’s political map is set to look a little different come January.
While Mayor Joseph Petty comfortably secured an eighth term, several new names and returning figures on the city council mark what many see as a shift toward moderation and pragmatism in a city long known for its progressive face.
Petty captured 54.68% of the vote to Councilor Khrystian King’s 33.67%, with turnout landing just above 22%. He said Worcester voters weren’t swayed by ideological noise and extremes from either side.
“Worcester voters want a council that addresses Worcester issues,” Petty said. “Voters, for the most part, were not caught up in the sideshow that the activist communities on the far left and far right were concerned with.”
The council lineup that emerged reflects a shifting mix of priorities rather than a simple partisan divide. Former Councilor Gary Rosen returns after four years away, bringing what some see as a steadier, more traditional voice back to the table.
“I’m honored and thankful to the Worcester voters for returning me to City Hall after a four-year hiatus,” Rosen said. “During the past two years, our present councilors have shown an inability to focus on issues that matter to people in this city.”
Rosen said voters “want to see less infighting and more productivity” and value experience and accountability in city leadership. “They appreciate that I’m not beholden to any big donors, developers or real estate investors,” he said. His campaign’s focal points included affordability, public safety and revisiting Worcester’s Home Rule Charter.
In District 2, housing and disability rights advocate Rob Bilotta unseated longtime Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, pledging to focus on affordability, accessibility and public safety. Bilotta said the campaign’s message resonated because it centered on accountability and everyday issues facing residents.
“Worcester needs elected officials who are accountable to residents, not special interests,” Bilotta told the Worcester Guardian. “I envision a city where seniors, people with disabilities, and working-class families can afford to live and feel safe in their neighborhoods and on our roads.”
Following the election, Bilotta said voters were “tired of the status quo politics” and felt their voices weren’t being heard on housing affordability, homelessness, neighborhood infrastructure, and street safety.
“This campaign, I spoke to a combined 2,000 residents, in person or on the phone,” he said. “These were the issues I heard repeatedly from residents across District 2. I’m eager to support our neighborhoods, represent District 2 residents, and represent the disability community, which has never had a voice on council.”
A longtime housing advocate, Bilotta helped shape Worcester’s affordable housing policies, including a new accessibility provision that has already led to the creation of more than 70 accessible apartments. He said his advocacy background—serving on the Worcester Access Advisory Commission and chairing the Worcester Together Affordable Housing Coalition—would inform his approach on the council.
Bilotta said one of his immediate priorities is to put CSX neighborhood improvement funds “to work for District 2 neighborhoods” and to recreate the neighborhood board that once guided their use. He also pointed to pedestrian safety as a top concern.
“We need to focus on high-priority corridors like Lake Ave., Shrewsbury Street, and Lincoln Street,” he said. “I want to continue supporting the work being done by the Department of Transportation and Mobility.”
Bilotta described himself as “progressive in that I’m focused on bringing more people to the table and uplifting all our neighborhoods and improving quality of life for Worcester residents.”
“I believe you can have different values and perspectives while still working on common goals,” he said.
Looking ahead, Bilotta said he plans to “better represent all of our communities and focus more on collaboration with local institutions, businesses, and community organizations.”
“Safe, affordable housing and public safety go hand in hand,” he added.
End of Bilotta update; remainder unchanged below.
In District 1, former councilor Tony Economou makes a return after an eight-year absence, saying voters responded to his focus on civility, collaboration, and attention to basic city services.
“The current City Council has moved far away from dealing with city issues,” Economou told the Worcester Guardian. “There’s plenty here in Worcester that needs attention—common sense things like the condition of streets and sidewalks, supporting our police and fire, and helping small businesses navigate city permitting.”
Economou, a lifelong Worcester resident and real estate professional, said his perspective working with newcomers to the city helped shape his priorities. “We’ve seen a tremendous influx of people moving here for affordability, culture and opportunity,” he said. “We need to keep strengthening those areas and be proactive, not passive.”
His to-do list includes breaking ground on the long-delayed Burncoat High School project, supporting redevelopment at Greendale’s proposed GreenTech Park, and expanding small business assistance. “Neighborhood businesses are the backbone of this city,” he said. “They turn dark storefronts into thriving new shops and create jobs. We need to help them succeed.”
Former state representative John Fresolo replaces retiring Councilor George Russell who decided not to run again for the District 3 seat, promising a hands-on approach and what he called “the power of the people.”
District 4 Councilor Luis Ojeda, who first won election in 2023, easily held his seat with more than 73% of the vote.
Petty will lead a council that includes himself, King, Kate Toomey, Rosen, Satya Mitra, and Morris Bergman as the six at-large members. While the ideological mix isn’t dramatically different on paper, the tone of debate at City Hall is likely to be.
Rivera’s victory in District 5 was one of the night’s biggest surprises, toppling an incumbent in a closely watched race that grew tense both online and in person. The retired boxer said the result reflected residents’ desire for steady, accessible leadership focused on everyday concerns.
“I’m feeling a real sense of gratification,” Rivera told the Worcester Guardian. “We put in a lot of time, and I’m happy I was able to reach out to more voters who came out to support me.”
He said voters made clear they want a councilor who listens and tackles practical issues. “The conversation I was having with residents was about quality-of-life issues—streets, sidewalks, safety, and support for small businesses,” Rivera said. “My constituents and my colleagues will see that I will lead with civility, decorum, and respect.”
Rivera said his first priority will be addressing neglected infrastructure. “While door knocking, that was one of the biggest issues people brought up,” he said. “Even now, I’m already getting emails from residents letting me know the problems on their streets and what they’d like to see resolved.”
Haxhiaj, in a lengthy public statement after the loss, called the year “filled with ugly, politically motivated attacks and malicious persecution” but thanked her supporters and urged them to stay engaged. “The results of this election reflect an interesting direction for our city,” she wrote. “We will continue to build on that.”
Petty, meanwhile, said the city’s toughest issues remain unchanged. “Homelessness, housing affordability, and public safety are three issues we need to address,” he said, adding that food insecurity has worsened amid national political divisions.
As Worcester’s longest-serving mayor, Petty has seen the council’s tone shift several times. This year’s change, he suggested, isn’t about ideology so much as focus.
“Every council is different,” he said. “We need to concentrate on issues we can affect.”
Whether that focus holds may define the next two years at City Hall.
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.
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