Civil litigator Ken Padilla and small-business owner Susan Shepherd appear to be headed for a June 7 run-off in the race to represent Denver’s District 1, as neither received over 50 percent of the vote.
Results still are incomplete, but as of 11:30 p.m., Padilla leads Shepherd 27.76 percent to 19.48 percent.
“Northwest Denver is a diverse community,” said Padilla, who was born and raised in Denver. “Our No. 1 priority is create jobs and stimulate the economy and help small businesses.”
He said education is equally important in that all children must receive a quality education.
Shepherd is a community organizer and small-business owner who has lived in District 1 for eight years.
“We’ve done a lot of hard work in the last week to get out the vote,” said Shepherd, while watching the returns from a neighbors home in northwest Denver. “I aim to create a safer community for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders.”
She adds that if elected she will focus on job creation in District 1 by introducing a local-hiring preference to the city’s contracting policy.
Padilla has netted the endorsements of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and from the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees .
“Ken Padilla understands and supports the need for quality public education. We know Ken will work in collaboration with Denver Public Schools and classroom teachers for the benefit of our children,” said Henry Roman on Padilla’s campaign website.
District 1 spans northwest Denver, extending west to Sheridan Boulevard and east to Zuni Street and Interstate 25. To the north the district extends to 52nd Avenue and south to Lakewood Gulch.
The seat is being vacated by Paula E. Sandoval, who decided not to run for reelection because her husband, Paul Sandoval, is battling cancer.
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655 or klee@denverpost.com
