Denver’s more moderate mayoral candidate moves forward

DENVER (AP) — Two of Denver’s more moderate candidates for mayor took a big lead in Tuesday night’s first results in an unusually large and diverse field of 16 contestants.

If early results hold up, Kelly Breaux, former president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and former state senator Mike Johnston could be on the runoff ballot. . They will leave more progressive candidates behind, mostly in left-leaning fields.

It is vying for an increasingly powerful position in a city facing rising crime rates, growing homeless encampments, and dizzying housing costs not seen in decades.

The fear underlying the competition is clear. Denver, a fast-growing, relatively young business and technology hub in the Mountain West of the United States, is tumbled toward the same fate as other major cities.

After taking the lead on Tuesday night, Johnston said, “We have the same problems that San Francisco and Seattle are facing.” “Get it wrong and it will end up like many other big cities where the middle class is unlivable. …We want to show that there are other ways cities can grow. ”

The election is officially nonpartisan, but the more progressive candidates include Democratic state legislator Leslie Herod and Lisa Harold, executive director of Emerging Colorado, which supports women’s campaigns for public office. Contains calderon.

“The stakes are either progressive Denver or the continuation of the richest corporate Denver,” said Calderon, who came third in the first ballot.

candidates on whether to ban the growing number of homeless camps, increase police funding, impose rent controls, and allow what are often referred to as “safe injection sites.” There is a core disagreement between the parties.

Braff, who said he was overwhelmed by the initial results, explained that what Denver voters want is “someone who really knows how to run the city and has experience as a CEO.” bottom.

Johnston, who praised his opponent for falling behind in Tuesday’s result, agreed with Brough on why the two had the lead. said it was due to voters’ “belief that there is no right ideological division on either side.” It’s all about how you bring in the best ideas from multiple sides. ”

The election is unlikely to be decided until the run-off vote on June 6.

All candidates are also vying for political posts that have served as stepping stones for ambitious politicians.

Former Democratic mayor John Hickenlooper ran a successful gubernatorial campaign that resulted in him now representing Colorado in the U.S. Senate. Further back, Democrat Frederico Peña served as Mayor of Denver before becoming U.S. Secretary of Energy under former President Bill Clinton.

Other candidates in the race, including a former boxer, investment banker, state legislator, and former Crenshaw Mafia gang member, fell further behind the two front-runners on the first ballot. By the end of Tuesday night, he had tallied just over 100,000 votes in a city of 500,000 registered voters.

Mayor Michael Hancock, who has been mayor since 2011, cannot be re-elected due to term limits. Mr. Hancock’s tenure has been commonplace for Denver mayors for the past half century. This year’s winner is his sixth mayor elected since 1968.

Whoever wins inherits a city boasting a large aerospace and technology industry, six professional sports teams, a proud beer culture and one of the fastest growing economies in the country.

The future mayor is also experiencing rising gentrification, the highest crime rate in decades, a rising homeless rate that has risen by more than 12% in the last two years, and an unprecedented surge in opioid overdoses. Inherit the city where you are. The number of deaths in 2021 is her 473. The population of Denver and its metropolitan area has nearly doubled over the past 30 years and will reach nearly 3 million by 2021.

The question of whether to enforce Denver’s camping ban, intended to curb the legacy of homelessness and the Hancock administration, split the contestants. Said it would be implemented.

Two bills passing the Colorado legislature have also divided the candidates. The bill would give local governments, including Denver, the power to impose rent controls and authorize safe injection locations. Both proposals are split in roughly the same direction, as candidates fall into the moderate to progressive range.

___

Jesse Bedayn is a member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover hidden issues.