The leader of the Common Council’s Democratic caucus has thrown her support behind Frank Waters, who’s challenging incumbent Mayor Steve Noble in a June 27 Democratic Primary. Worthington (D-Ward 4), who faces her own primary challenge as she seeks a fourth two-year term on the council, made the announcement on Sunday.

“I have been a resident of Kingston since seventh grade, so I have seen the changes that have happened over the past several decades,” wrote Worthington in the statement distributed by Waters’ campaign. “I believe Frank will do what needs to be done to protect residents and improve their quality of life in both large and small ways.”

Waters is the first Democrat to challenge Noble since 2015, when Noble won his first term after defeating then-incumbent Shayne Gallo in a primary contest. Waters is a community organizer who helped found “My Kingston Kids” and Harambee Kingston, which acquired and maintains the Pine Street African Burial Ground. Waters is running on a promise of a more inclusive and more transparent city government.

Worthington, who did not mention Noble in her statement, stated that she was drawn to Waters’ positions on improving police-community relations and addressing crime by fighting poverty. Worthington stated she also believed Waters was committed to improving living conditions in Ward 4 which is home to many of the city’s poorest residents and a large proportion of its Black and Latino population.

Worthington also pushed back against skeptics who think Waters lacks the background in government to effectively run city government. “Though some people might think being a community builder is not a great basis for becoming mayor, doing what he has done shows tremendous ingenuity, finding and utilizing of resources and doing exactly that — building a community,” wrote Worthington.

Waters and Noble will face off next month with a nine-day early voting period that begins June 17, followed by the primary on the 27th. The winner will go on to face retired car dealer Scott Denny, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines. Worthington, meanwhile, is being challenged for the Democratic line by longtime city Building and Safety Division employee Jeanne Edwards.