Joseph C. O'Brien

O'Brien announced on September 16, 2011 that he would not seek reelection as mayor after he and his wife adopted two young children from Ethiopia. O'Brien then served for one term in an at-large seat on the City Council. He also returned to working for Congressman Jim McGovern as his political and finance director.

O'Brien launched a campaign for Mayor of Worcester in 2009. He faced off against incumbent Konstantina Lukes and City Councilor Kathleen Toomey. His campaign received support from Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, himself a former mayor of the city. On November 3, 2009, O'Brien won the mayoral election with 50% of the vote and won all 50 of the city's precincts.

After graduating from college, O'Brien worked as a community organizer in the Bronx and Worcester. He then spent the next decade working for non-profit organizations and in progressive politics. In 2001, O'Brien was elected to the Worcester School Committee. He served on the school committee for three two-year terms and led efforts to improve programs for at-risk students and to expand student health services. From 2003-2004 O'Brien worked as the director of the Mass Voters For Clean Elections and then as director of the Commonwealth Coalition. In 2006 he served as campaign manager for then Worcester Mayor Tim Murray's successful campaign for lieutenant governor. From 2007-2009, O'Brien worked as district director for U.S. Congressman and Worcester resident Jim McGovern.

Joseph C. O'Brien (born November 25, 1965) is an American politician and community organizer. He previously served as an at-large member of the Worcester, Massachusetts City Council and served as Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts from 2010 to 2012.