Former state Sen. Penfield Tate is eyeing an open seat on the Denver City Council next year.
Tate said he has not made an official decision, but he is “interested.”
Denver residents won’t vote on the City Council until May 2007, but already candidates are emerging.
Interest is primarily focused on the two council seats that will open because of term limits: Neither Elbra Wedgeworth nor Kathleen MacKenzie can run for re-election.
So far, only one person has made it official. Chris Nevitt, policy director of the union-backed Front Range Economic Strategy Center, has filed paperwork to run for the District 7 seat held by MacKenzie.
MacKenzie’s senior analyst, Julie Connor, also said she would definitely run for the seat.
Councilwoman Carol Boigon’s aide, Shelley Watters, treasurer of the Platt Park People’s Association, confirmed that she is running for the same seat.
Rocker Jake Schroeder, lead singer of Opie Gone Bad, said he hopes to parlay his community-service experience into a run for MacKenzie’s seat as well.
Elsewhere, the picture gets foggy.
There is speculation among local politicians that Councilwoman Marcia Johnson may get a challenge from former Councilwoman Joyce Foster.
“As of this moment, I haven’t given it much thought,” Foster said. “But it’s a long time off yet. You never say never.”
Johnson, the incumbent in District 5, could face a challenge from Foster because Foster sat out a full term since being term-limited.
“There are some former council members … who left and miss it,” Johnson said.
Tate, who mounted an unsuccessful bid for mayor against John Hickenlooper in 2003, said he will probably run in Wedgeworth’s District 8.
“It is obviously something that I would be interested in,” he said. “A number of folks have talked to me and expressed an interest in me not just considering, but actually pursuing, the seat.”
Early indications are that he might face a challenge from Central Baptist Church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Willie Simmons.
“There is some interest,” Simmons confirmed. “People have asked me to consider.”
Denver’s neighborhood liaison, Tamara Banks, also is mentioned as a possible candidate. She said that was speculation.
“What are the oddsmakers saying this week?” Banks asked. “I’m really focused on working with the mayor on everything we are doing right now in the neighborhoods.”
Nevitt, who has already filed paperwork and picked a steering committee, said his love of Denver led to his candidacy.
“When you see the place you want to make your home, you know it right away,” he said. “I really wanted to contribute to making this city a better place, and what better way than through the City Council.”
Potential candidates have until next March to file their petitions for the May 1, 2007, vote.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-820-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303- 820-1633 or cosher@denverpost.com.
