Ron Waddell Says Worcester’s 15th District Needs More Visible Representation and New Leadership

Affordability Remains His Top Priority

“There was a young man in my office just the other day, 21 years old, and he’s got a high school diploma, yet can’t read or write. We’ve got only 28% of Worcester kids in third grade reading at the third grade reading level.”

Editors Note – Radio Worcester interviews candidates from across the political spectrum to help voters hear directly from those seeking public office.

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic- Radio Worcester/Photo Submitted

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WORCESTER, Mass. — Democratic candidate Ron Waddell says voters in Massachusetts’ 15th Worcester District deserve a state representative who is more visible in the community and more consistently present at the State House.

Appearing on Radio Worcester, Waddell outlined his campaign priorities while explaining why he decided to challenge incumbent State Representative Mary Keefe in the Democratic primary.

Waddell argued that constituents have not received enough direct engagement from their current representative.

“The incumbent has missed almost 20% of the votes. And so you’re not in the district, you’re out of office, and because of that, you’re out of touch.”

Throughout the conversation, Waddell discussed affordability, housing, education, homelessness, transportation, workforce development, and public safety as some of the district’s most pressing concerns.

Affordability Remains His Top Priority

Waddell said making Massachusetts more affordable requires addressing several issues simultaneously rather than focusing on a single solution.

His priorities include:

• Increasing housing development
• Supporting fair wages
• Improving transportation options
• Expanding access to affordable childcare

He argued that reducing financial pressure on working families requires coordinated action across multiple policy areas.

Public Safety Requires Both Enforcement and Prevention

On crime and public safety, Waddell rejected the idea that communities must choose between policing and prevention programs.

Instead, he advocated for a balanced strategy that supports law enforcement while investing in community violence intervention efforts designed to prevent crime before it occurs.

He said successful public safety policies require collaboration among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and neighborhood leaders.

Homelessness Requires a Comprehensive Response

Waddell described homelessness as one of Worcester’s most complex challenges.

Rather than focusing exclusively on housing, he said long-term solutions must also address:

• Behavioral health
• Workforce development
• Public safety
• Affordable housing
• Cross-sector collaboration

According to Waddell, lasting progress will require multiple organizations working together instead of isolated efforts.

Education Funding and Literacy Need Long-Term Solutions

Education was another major focus of the conversation.

Waddell argued that Massachusetts must move beyond temporary funding fixes and pursue structural reforms to ensure schools receive adequate long-term support.

He expressed particular concern about literacy rates among Worcester students.

“There was a young man in my office just the other day, 21 years old, and he’s got a high school diploma, yet can’t read or write. We’ve got only 28% of Worcester kids in third grade reading at the third grade reading level.”

He said improving literacy outcomes should be a central priority for state policymakers.

A New Generation of Leadership

Waddell described himself as someone who can bridge generations while bringing fresh perspectives to Beacon Hill.

He said effective leadership also means preparing future leaders.

“There’s no success without a successor… It’s time to pass the baton on to the next generation. There’s new ideas. There’s new things that we need to think about.”

He believes Worcester faces increasingly complex challenges that require innovative approaches and a willingness to rethink traditional solutions.

Looking Ahead to the Democratic Primary

As the campaign continues, Waddell says he intends to focus on meeting voters throughout the district and discussing issues affecting everyday residents, including affordability, education, housing, transportation, and public safety.

The interview offered listeners an opportunity to hear directly from the candidate about both his policy priorities and the reasons he believes the 15th Worcester District is ready for new representation.