Woburn Teenager Omar Mohuddin Plans To Run For Mayor Of Hometown

WOBURN, MA — Woburn's longtime Mayor Scott Galvin recently announced his intention to seek an eighth term next November.

Though candidates can officially begin pulling nomination papers on May 1, it appears that Galvin will have a young challenger in 19-year-old Omar Mohuddin.

Mohuddin, a 2022 Woburn Memorial High School graduate and first-year student at Northeastern, said he decided to run for mayor late last year. He said he was inspired by 18-year-old Jaylen Smith, who was elected mayor of Earle, Arkansas this past December.

"I've always been very passionate about leading, bringing change and giving back," Mohuddin told Patch. "I wanted to be more involved in the decision making that affects the city I live in. And when I saw Jaylen Smith, I realized there was a possibility for me to be elected in Woburn. It is an opportunity to give back to the community that made me."

If elected,, Mohuddin, at 19, would become the youngest mayor in Massachusetts, according to NBC Boston. Mohuddin doesn't turn 20 until February of 2024.

Born and raised in Woburn, Mohuddin was the Class President at WMHS last year. According to his website, he is on a full-ride scholarship at Northeastern, where he is studying business administration with a concentration in finance.

NBC Boston reports that Mohuddin's campaign platform will focus on investing in education byensuring educators are receiving the funds they need, supporting first responders and improving the city's infrastructure.

"(Mohuddin) brings a unique perspective and skills to the race, drawing from his experience in the business world and his commitment to finding creative solutions to complex problems," Mohuddin's website states.

The website continues: "(Mohuddin) is dedicated to ensuring that Woburn remains a thriving and vibrant city, where residents have access to the resources they need to succeed, and businesses can grow and flourish. With his fresh perspective and innovative ideas, Omar is eager to work with residents and city officials to build a brighter future for Woburn."

As for balancing the duties of mayor with those of being a student, Mohuddin said he has a creative solution for that issue, as well.

Since he's on an accelerated track in college, Mohuddin told Patch that he would be halfway through his junior year in Jan. 2024, when the winner of the Nov. 7 election will be sworn in.

"At that point, I'll be on Northeastern co-op program. This will allow me enough time to acclimate to the position," said Mohuddin, indicating that the the job of mayor would be part of his co-op.

Mohuddin continued: "If I make the decision down the road, I can take a few asynchronous classes to complete my undergraduate degree."

Of course, nobody has been able to unseat Galvin since he took office in 2009. The former City Councilor representing Ward 3 is Woburn's longest-serving mayor since the city transitioned to two-year mayoral terms in 1931.

Galvin was elected for his seventh term in November 2021, when he received nearly two-thirds of the vote in a race against School Committee Chair Ellen Crowley.

Though a resounding win, the race was closer than Galvin's 2019 victory over Liz Pedrini, a real estate agent.