The race to be Gloucester’s next mayor is heating up as Councilor at-Large Jeff Worthley pulled nomination papers to run for the office Thursday.
As of Friday, nine potential candidates have pulled nomination papers to run for the six available School Committee seats.
“I’m committed to running a positive, issues-oriented campaign,” said Worthley, 47, a financial representative for New York Life Insurance.
He plans to join the race for mayor that is already pitting incumbent Mayor Greg Verga against former City Council President Paul Lundberg. Both Verga and Lundberg have returned enough signatures to get their names on the ballot.
Verga, making a bid for his third term, was elected in November 2021 after challenging then incumbent Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. He previously served eight years on the School Committee followed by six on the City Council.
Lundberg, a transportation professional who served as general manager of the Commuter Rail, served three terms on the City Council and six years on the Planning Board, including a stint as chair.
If Worthley collects enough signatures certified by the July 29 deadline, it would necessitate the need for a preliminary election Sept. 16 for mayor. The Municipal Election is scheduled for Nov. 4.
So far, no other race for ward councilor, councilors at-large or School Committee has triggered the need for a preliminary election under the City Charter.
For mayor or ward councilor, three of more candidates would send the race to a preliminary election. For councilor at-large, which has four open seats, a race of nine or more candidates would go to a preliminary, , according to the city clerk’s office.
For School Committee, with six seats available, a race of 13 or more candidates would go to a preliminary election.
A rough estimate for the cost of an election is $30,000, an expense that has been budgeted for, according to the city clerk’s office.
Candidates for mayor need to collect no less than 300 signatures of resident, registered voters. School Committee and at-large candidates need at least 150 good signatures and ward councilor no less than 75 signatures of voters of the ward, according to the City Charter.
Worthley’s bid for mayor
Worthley is in his seventh year serving as a city councilor.
“I’m ready to apply my record of positive, effective leadership to the position of mayor so I can lead even more effectively and be even more helpful to support Gloucester residents” he said in a prepared statement. “I have a history of bringing people with different opinions together, offering responsive leadership, and transparent communication. As mayor, I will honor our past, embrace our future, and work to preserve Gloucester’s unique character.”
Worthley’s campaign kickoff is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 30, at the Gloucester Elks Lodge, 101 Atlantic Road. All are welcome. He asks that all who wish to attend register on his Facebook page.
A life Gloucester resident, Worthley served on the City Council from 2001 to 2005 at-large and as Ward 3 councilor. After a hiatus, he was elected at-large in 2021, and reelected in 2023.
Worthley said his decision to run for mayor was “… sparked by support from thousands of people who are grateful for a proven record of putting Gloucester residents first, the 96 volunteers who have eagerly joined my exploratory committee so far and commitments from key constituencies.”
Who else is planning to run
Worthley’s decision to run for mayor means a second at-large councilor this election cycle would not be seeking reelection with incumbent at-Large Councilor Val Gilman deciding to step down. Gilman previously served as a Ward 4 councilor and on the School Committee.
Signaling their intention to run at-large are incumbents Tony Gross, who is the council president, and Jason Grow, chair of the Planning and Development Standing Committee, both of whom have their names on the ballot. Resident Shawn McQueeney has also pulled papers to run at-large.
Potential School Committee candidates include all six incumbents; Kathleen Clancy, Jeremy McKeen, William Melvin, Keith Mineo, Melissa Teixeira Prince, and Laura Wiessen. They face a challenge from residents Heather Dagle, Andrea Liacos, and Nasreddine Tber.
In the ward races, incumbent Ward 1 Councilor R. Scott Memhard, who represents East Gloucester and neighborhoods along Eastern Avenue, and incumbent Ward 2 Councilor Dylan Benson, who represents much of the downtown and the waterfront, have both had their papers certified and their names are on the ballot.
Ward 3, which includes the western half of downtown, neighborhoods on both sides of the Annisquam and around Grant Circle, has a potential race shaping up between incumbent Councilor Marjorie Grace and former Ward 3 City Councilor Joseph Robert Orlando.
Ward 4 has incumbent Francesco “Frank” Margiotta signaling his intention to run for another term representing Lanesville and North Gloucester. Council Vice President Sean Nolan is seeking another term to represent Ward 5 which includes Magnolia and much of West Gloucester.
The deadline for candidates to turn in nomination papers in the city’s clerk’s office in City Hall, 9 Dale Ave., is Tuesday, July 29, at 5 p.m.
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.