Joe Petty has won reelection in the race for Worcester mayor. Petty defeated four challengers: Khrystian King, Donna Colorio, Bill Coleman and Guillermo Creamer, Jr.

Petty is the longest serving mayor in Worcester history, having held the office since 2011. This will be his seventh term as mayor.

"Affordable housing's going to be the biggest issue," Petty said after declaring victory Tuesday night. "Along with climate change, mental health issues. Also just trying to build a new Burncoat High School, rennovating East Middle [School], making sure the schools have the proper funding they need to educate our kids. Education's probably one of the top priorities."

Prior to the election, Petty said he was running for reelection because he wanted to keep Worcester going on the right track.

"We have great momentum, people and developers are coming into the city, investing their money, because they see we have a good, cooperative, collaborative working group," Petty said. "Whether it be the colleges and universities, neighborhood groups, the nonprofits, the business community."