Denver’s first regular municipal election in four years seems destined to be a quiet event, offering little significant competition in citywide races or opportunities for civic discourse.
A mayoral race usually provides the spark to air out thorny issues, like snow removal or affordable housing strategies, but this year Mayor Hickenlooper is a shoo-in. His one competitor, wastewater division supervisor Danny Lopez, understands that he doesn’t have a chance against the incumbent, who remains popular despite recent headaches involving voting delays in the November elections and problems with snow removal. The quiescence is a sharp contrast to 2003, when Hickenlooper outlasted a seven-candidate field and a runoff with former auditor Don Mares.
City Council races could provide some spirited battles, especially for open seats. But those races tend to focus more on personal, door-to-door politics than on issues. Thirteen candidates have lined up to run for three open seats created by the resignation of councilmembers Elbra Wedgeworth and Rosemary Rodriguez and the exit of Kathleen MacKenzie under term limits. Rodriguez’s southwest Denver District 3 seat is generating the most activity, with seven candidates vying for the post.
Six other incumbent councilmembers also have competition. In the at-large race, candidate Carol Campbell is challenging incumbents Doug Linkhart or Carol Boigon for one of two citywide seats. Campbell, an artist, teacher and community volunteer, turned in more signatures than Linkhart or Boigon. The top two vote-getters win.
Citywide, the new clerk and recorder job should generate some interest, but so far it hasn’t. Until now, it has been an appointed position that oversaw elections along with two elected commissioners. After Denver experienced problems in last November’s elections, the City Council proposed a new approach. In a special election in January, a relative handful of Denver voters eliminated the Election Commission in favor of an elected clerk and recorder.
Two candidates are running: acting clerk and recorder Stephanie O’Malley, a lawyer who formerly served as the city’s director of excise and licenses; and Jacob Werther, a deputy public trustee dealing with foreclosures at the elections office.
City Auditor Dennis Gallagher is being challenged by Bill Wells, a security screener at Denver International Airport who also ran in 2003.
Barring a big surprise, May 1 is shaping up to be a snoozer in citywide races. We hope spirited candidacies and vivid issues will develop to liven things up.
