Defeated mayoral candidate James Mejia took several days and listened to plenty of pitches before deciding Sunday night to throw his weight to Chris Romer.
“This is about who is best suited to lead Denver,” Mejia said Monday. “We believe by joining forces with the Romer campaign will be the best way to move Denver forward.”
Mejia, who was named chairman of Romer’s campaign, said Romer has invited him to be in his Cabinet if elected. Most of Mejia’s staffers have joined the Romer campaign, he said.
Mejia missed qualifying for the June 7 mayoral runoff that includes the top two May 3 vote-getters by 1,491 votes.
With 26 percent of the overall vote, Mejia was heavily courted by the two surviving candidates, Romer and City Councilman Michael Hancock.
Mejia said he weighed not endorsing at all but said he wanted to hear whether either campaign would adopt his policies. Romer said he would and Hancock made no indication, Mejia said.
Hancock’s campaign released a statement saying they understood that it was a difficult decision to make.
Hancock last week received the endorsement of fellow councilman and mayoral candidate Doug Linkhart, who received 10,714 votes. Romer picked up the backing of Theresa Spahn, who finished a distant fifth with 3,373 votes.
Romer stood with Mejia at Monday’s announcement, calling it “one of the most important moments of this campaign.” He said he wanted Mejia’s coaching.
Mejia and Romer battled over education — specifically about Denver Public Schools’ turnaround plans for Montbello-area schools.
Romer said Mejia’s comments made him realize that the school reformers must pay more attention to the process. “James has some important observations that all education reformers need to listen to.”
