Meet Keith Linhares!

We here at the Worcester Sucks Media Empire are desperately hungry for good new candidates. Now is the time to be fielding them, getting to know them, encouraging others to come forward. That’s why we jumped right on interviewing Cayden Davis for Outdoor Cats earlier this week. That interview rocks, by the way.

And why I’m sharing an open letter from District 1 candidate Keith Linhares below in full.

My name is Keith Linhares, and I’m running for Worcester City Council in District 1.

I’m a minivan-driving father of three daughters, a supportive husband to a community and youth worker who has tirelessly dedicated herself to helping Worcester, a lifelong resident of the 508, a first-generation college graduate, a music lover, a pragmatic, action-oriented project manager, a homeowner in District 1, and an eternal optimist.

I’m not a politician.

But I’m running for Worcester City Council in District 1 because Worcester is my family's future. Our city has grown to a point where we need leaders who believe in bringing people together and helping our city and its residents reach their full potential. Leaders you can trust to prioritize quality-of-life for residents over short-term gains and “economic indicators”.

I see so much untapped potential here. As the second-largest city in New England, Worcester should be a leader in affordability, civic engagement & transparency, and quality-of-life. I imagine Worcester as a place vibrant with small businesses and community spaces, where kids can walk or bike safely to school, where city departments like DPW are adequately funded to provide excellent service, where participation in our local democracy thrives, and where anyone who wants to be here can afford a place to call home.

But our city’s current leadership isn’t doing enough to make that potential a reality. Rather than tackling real structural issues or putting forward a vision for the future, our city leadership clings to outdated thinking, and they dilly dally and waste our time over things that should be easy decisions, as the past several months has clearly shown.

People claiming to be “voices of reason” are saying City Council should stop listening to activists and community members and focus on potholes and snow removal. In the year 2025, with the intense stress people are under, whether it's practical concerns like a place to live, or headier concerns like the USA's place in the world, the idea that a City Councilor in New England’s 2nd most populated city should only care about potholes and snow removal is anything but reasonable.

In this day and age, the idea that a city councilor can’t ‘walk and chew bubblegum’ - fixing practical problems while addressing the structures and systems that caused them in the first place - feels like a slap in the face, and is the same thing as saying “Don’t think too much” and “Don’t ask for more.”

If you’re reading this, you already know what’s at stake in our city's next election. Now is the time for people with bold, creative ideas to step up and shape Worcester’s future.

We can’t afford to let leadership keep us stuck in the 1980s. We need fresh voices in City Hall that bring bold visions for the future and the energy and spark to get it done.

Among the candidates in District 1, I can confidently and proudly say that I am the most:

• Pro-transparency & accountability
• Pro-union
• Pro-worker
• Pro-affordable housing
• Pro-tenant
• Pro-fiscal responsibility
• Pro-teacher
• Pro-public schools
• Pro-accessible design
• Pro-crosswalks, sidewalks, and walkability
• Pro-bike lanes
• Pro-environment
• Pro-sustainability
• Pro-feminist
• Pro-LGBTQIA+
• Pro-direct democracy
• Pro-participatory budgeting
• Pro-public transit
• Pro-library
• Pro-local food
• Pro-farmer’s market
• Pro-community garden
• Pro-decentralization
• Pro-potluck dinner
• Pro-mutual aid
• Pro-public art
• Pro-street fair
• Pro-starting a REAL, community-driven Worcester Renaissance

I don’t have all the answers to Worcester’s problems—but I know our community does. I’ve told family and friends about my candidacy, and I’ve heard at least one great idea to improve Worcester from each of them. I am so inspired by concerned residents who show up to City Council meetings to speak about issues that matter deeply to them.

I am open minded, pragmatic, and humble, and I will listen and work with all District 1 residents, unions, grassroots organizations, and community groups to make Worcester the best city it can possibly be. I have the determination, the optimism, and the strategic thinking to take big goals and break them down into actions that will make our community thrive.

This community has so much heart, grit, and determination. Together, we can build a Worcester that works for everyone. My family’s future, and our city’s future depends on it.

Please consider donating to our campaign. We need money for things like a website, mailers, and yard signs. My opponent, Tony Economou is a former city councilor who has already raised $10K from people like John Monfredo, Tim Murray, and Sean Rose.

Imagine taking money from John Monfredo? Still? Unbelievable. Vote for Keith.

We have time scheduled for a podcast interview with Keith coming up, so look out for that. And make sure you listen to Cayden’s interview too if you haven’t. It’s so wholesome and good.