Former Denver Mayor Federico Peña endorsed Chris Romer in the runoff contest for the Denver Mayor’s office.
Peña said Romer’s “bold ideas” won him over.
“He has the creativity, the bold ideas, the clear understanding of education issues,” Peña at a press conference in Confluence Park, adding that he thought Romer’s business experience as an investment banker would help him make wise decisions in civic projects to spur community development.
James Mejia, who placed third in the general election, has also endorsed Romer and was featured in the press conference.
The endorsement message came with reminders from Romer of Peña’s leadership in the 1980’s to develop Denver International Airport and other large civic projects.
Romer said Peña was bold to pursue the projects, given the period’s down economy, but that time has shown him prescient.
“He said, ‘Now is the time. Now is the place,’ ” Romer said. “He stood in the breach of doubt.”
In a telephone interview, Romer’s rival in the runoff, city councilman Michael Hancock, said, “Romer should be honored having a man like Peña backing him.”
Hancock sought his old mentor’s backing. He said he talked by phone with Peña Monday about the campaign.
“It doesn’t change the way I think about Federico.”
Chuck Plunkett: 303-954-1333 or cplunkett@denverpost.com
