Over the summer, Don't Touch My Podcast says, "Don't Touch my Politics" as we sit down with political candidates running for the Worcester City Council and School Committee seats.

About Khrystian:

Why I'm Running for Mayor

I’m a social worker of almost 30 years, City Councilor, and proud Girl Dad. I’ve dedicated my life to public service and mentoring young people throughout Worcester.

On the City Council, I led the fight for safe schools with the necessary resources, and successfully brought sports back to middle schools. I fought against increasing residential property taxes, and advocated for a transparent and accountable Government, especially when it came to taxpayers' hard earned dollars.

The same old leadership is failing. Housing prices are skyrocketing, crime and mental health are major problems, and there is too much focus on downtown and not enough on the local economic hubs in neighborhoods across the city. I’m running for Mayor so that you and I can write the next chapter in Worcester’s history and build a City that is safe, sustainable, and affordable. I humbly ask for your vote on November 7th.

Khrystian has been an advocate for Worcester’s children, youth and families his entire life - beginning as a student leader of an anti-drug program at Holy Name. After losing three friends to gun violence, Khrystian has dedicated his career to helping local families rise beyond poverty and violence - from his work in child protection to his nearly 20 years leading the Crompton Park Summer Basketball program.
A first generation American, Khrystian graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Sociology and Psychology, and went on to receive a Masters Degree in Social Work from Simmons College and a Public Management & Leadership Certificate from the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University

Over the summer, Don't Touch My Podcast says, "Don't Touch my Politics" as we sit down with political candidates running for the Worcester City Council and School Committee seats.

About Maydee:

I am a Worcester homeowner, mother and grandmother, with proud roots as an Afro-Latina from Puerto Rico. I have worked for over 30 years on the front lines of service as director of housing at Friendly House, as a health outreach worker, coordinator of a high school graduation project, director of emergency services at Catholic Charities, and now director of the Resiliency Center at Worcester Community Action Council.
My career is focused on helping people succeed through education and work. Our community is stronger because of the compassion and respect shown to the most vulnerable among us -- newcomers, working families, youth of color, low-income elders, and those who live on the margins of society. I will bring these same values and priorities to the Worcester City Council.

Maydee Morales -- a proven leader who understands the community, fosters partnerships, and exercises fiscal responsibility

Over the summer, Don't Touch My Podcast says, "Don't Touch my Politics" as we sit down with political candidates running for the Worcester City Council and School Committee seats.

About Tracy:

Tracy O'Connell Novick is the mother of three children, two Worcester Public Schools alums, one a rising Burncoat High senior; a former Massachusetts public school teacher; a licensed Massachusetts school business administrator; and a longtime education advocate. Professionally, Tracy is in her seventh year as a field director with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, where she manages social media and focuses on school finance. Tracy is seeking her sixth term on the Worcester School Committee. During her time on the Worcester School Committee, Tracy spearheaded the Committee's adoption of in-district transportation; played an active role in the successful search for a new Worcester Public Schools superintendent; has actively reviewed district policy for overdue updates; and has continued to work to direct dollars to the classroom, successfully proposing FY24 funding be moved for a paraprofessional in every kindergarten classroom and an increase in the per-pupil funding for supplies. This continues Tracy's track record of working to get a nurse into every school, to increase facilities funding, and to boost the time and attention on lunch and recess for students. Tracy has continually also been active both on and off the Committee at the state level in advocacy, particularly in equity in school funding. Her online social media is considered the place to keep up with what is happening in Massachusetts education policy by many. Tracy was tireless as an advocate, as a resource, and as an educator in the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, the decades-overdue overhaul of state education funding now bringing billions in state aid to local school districts, and millions to Worcester. Now greeted by "We know: Burncoat" by those at the state level, Tracy continues to press for a new Burncoat High School. Understanding that new high schools only serve some of our students, Tracy also proposed the successful advocacy for the restoration of MSBA Accelerated Repair funding, which has provided millions of dollars in roofs, windows, doors, and boilers to the Worcester Public Schools. She ceaselessly notes that the Worcester Public Schools need and deserve greater capital funding support. While Tracy left the classroom when she had children, she continues to "presume competence," believing that public goods like education are far too important for anyone to be left out, and applies this to discussions of school finance, accountability, curricular standards, and regulations.