By Tiffany Williams –
Worcester voters narrowed the crowded field of at-large City Council candidates Tuesday, setting the stage for a competitive November general election where only four of the 12 advancing hopefuls will ultimately secure seats.
Unofficial results from the Worcester Election Commission show longtime Mayor Joseph Petty leading the pack with 5,994 votes, or just over 12 percent of the total. Councilor Kate Toomey followed with 5,144 votes, while Morris Bergman came in third at 4,685. Former councilor and school committee member Gary Rosen, a familiar face in city politics, was close behind with 4,646.
Incumbent Khrystian King, who is also running for mayor, secured the fifth spot with 4,590 votes. Jermoh Kamara, a former school committee member, finished sixth with 4,052 votes. Donna Colorio, another incumbent with prior leadership experience as vice-chair of the council and a background on the school committee, placed seventh with 3,882.
Rounding out the advancing candidates were Satya Mitra (3,406), Cayden Davis (3,200), Owura-Kwaku Sarkodieh (2,729), Jessica Pepple (2,342), and Edson Montero (1,625). Charles Luster and Bernard Iandoli failed to make the cut, finishing outside the top 12.
Turnout was strikingly low. Out of Worcester’s 114,837 registered voters, only 11,489 cast ballots. That’s less than 10 percent participation, with 7,056 votes coming on Election Day and another 4,433 through early voting.
The results highlight both continuity and change in Worcester’s political scene. Petty, Toomey, Bergman, King, and Colorio represent the established wing of the council, while figures like Kamara, Davis, and Sarkodieh signal an effort by newer candidates to break into city leadership. With only four seats available in November, incumbents could face serious challenges from energized newcomers in what is shaping up to be a tense and closely watched election.
The general election will also decide the mayor’s race, further raising the stakes for Worcester’s political future.