Rain clouds parted last Saturday afternoon (July 18) as US Sen. Ed Markey stepped into a Roxbury backyard driveway shared by neighbors Marilyn Anderson Chase and Solmon Chowdhury for state Rep. Christopher Worrell’s fundraiser.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 70 people, Markey laid out what he said are the four elements of a successful campaign: a viable candidate, a well-oiled campaign organization, an understanding of the issues facing the district and, not the least of them, money.
“And that’s why you’re here today,” Markey said. “Because without the money, a campaign is a hallucination.”
Real estate developers, attorneys, political activists, and other elected officials mingled under a tent at the event, which stayed mostly dry between Saturday’s rainstorms as a live band provided music.
Anderson Chase, who has held positions in the city’s nonprofit sector, including as vice president of the United Way, said Worrell has provided solid representation for the community in his first two terms.
From left: Rep. Richard Wells of Milton, state Rep. Chris Worrell, US Sen. Ed Markey, City Councillor Brian Worrell, and Rep. Andy Vargas of Haverhill greeted supporters at a fundraiser in support of Rep. Worrell held last Saturday in Roxbury. Yawu Miller photo
“Chris is a child of this community,” she said. “I appreciate that he grew up here. He didn’t just develop a love for this community when he ran for office. It was his love for the community that drew him to run for office.”
Others on hand praised Worrell for his work in the Legislature, including chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Rep. Andy Vargas of Haverhill, Rep. Richard G. Wells of Milton, Rep. Paul McMurtry of Dedham, former acting Mayor Kim Janey, and Worrell’s older brother, City Councilor Brian Worrell.
Markey, who, unlike Worrell, is facing a stiff challenge this season from US Rep. Seth Moulton in the Sept. 1 primary, said Worrell garners respect in the 5th Suffolk District he represents.
“Why am I here for Chris?” Markey asked. “He’s a leader on everything that is important to the community. He’s a voice for sanity up in the State House. He brings the voice of the community up to the State House every day.”
Among the bills Worrell has sponsored are measures that would prohibit mandatory life-without-parole sentences for individuals between the ages of 21 and 26, direct the state to assess so-called pharmacy deserts, and create additional liquor licenses for bars and restaurants in Boston.
In this year’s budget he secured $500,000 for the Affordable and Sustainable Homeownership program administered by the Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance to assist first-generation homebuyers.
While Worrell isn’t facing a challenger this year, lawmakers typically campaign regardless of the lack of a field in their districts. Gaining a large number of votes affirms representatives’ popularity in their districts and serves as a sign of strength to potential challengers and fellow lawmakers.
The Fifth Suffolk District, one of the most diverse in the Commonwealth, includes Franklin Park and the Roxbury side of Grove Hall as well as Four Corners, Bowdoin Street, Meetinghouse Hill, Uphams Corner, and much of Dudley Street. In the 2022 contest, Worrell won 1,667 of the 3,828 votes cast in three-way race against Danielson Tavares and Althea Garrison. In 2024, a presidential election year, he garnered 10,588 votes.
In his first term, Worrell opened a district office on Erie Street with his brother to make constituent services more easily available to district residents. Part of the brothers’ appeal to voters stems from a commitment to providing constituent services, said Democratic political activist Bruce Bickerstaff.
“They’re both local people,” he said. “Not only do they understand the nuances of living in this city, they speak up and create conversation about the issues and challenges facing their community.”
Addressing the backyard gathering, Worrell pledged to continue vigorous representation of the 5th Suffolk in the State House.
“I love this community,” he said. “This is why I go so hard making sure every constituent is seen and heard.”
