WORCESTER, Mass. - Mayor Joseph Petty announced his run for state senate on Wednesday and said if he were to win, he does not intend to remain as Worcester's mayor until the end of his term. 

If Petty wins the state Senate seat and steps down as mayor, City Council vice chair Donna Colorio would become acting mayor.

Colorio is a lifelong Worcester resident, a former school committee member, and at-large City Council member.

In an interview on Thursday, Colorio said it would be an honor to serve as mayor.

“Worcester is a great city and I would be honored to step in that position and I would look forward to working with the City Manager, my colleagues, the business community and other stakeholders to move the community forward,” Colorio said. “It would be an honor. I would be elated.”

Mayor Petty could keep both seats if he wanted to, but could not collect payment for both. 

Former city councilor at-large Matt Wally finished seventh in the November municipal election at-large race. He would assume the open council seat if Petty was elected to the state Senate and steps down. He would be certified by the Board of Election Commissioners and sworn in.