WORCESTER, Mass. - Joe Petty is expected to announce his candidacy for state Senate soon, according to multiple sources close to Worcester’s mayor.

Petty, a Democrat, is currently serving his sixth mayoral term and a 13^th term as city councilor-at-large. As mayor, Petty also serves as chairperson of the Worcester School Committee.

Petty’s announcement will likely come within the next two weeks, sources said. Petty declined to comment on Thursday. 

Petty could potentially vie for the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Sen. Harriette Chandler, who on Wednesday announced she is not seeking reelection to the 1^st Worcester District after more than 20 years in office. 

If elected, Petty could serve in both roles as mayor and state senator, for the final year of his current term as mayor, according to state election laws. He would only earn the $62,500 annual salary for the state senator's position and wouldn't be compensated as mayor of Worcester.  His current two-year term as mayor ends in January 2024. If elected, his two-year term as state senator would start in January 2023.

If Petty were to step down as Worcester’s mayor, City Councilor At-Large Donna Colorio would become mayor to fill out the remainder of Petty's term. Former District 1 city councilor Matt Wally would fill Petty's at-large seat on the City Council after finishing as the first runner-up in last November’s council at-large race.