DENVER—Denver City Councilman Michael Hancock defeated fellow Democrat and former state Sen. Chris Romer in Tuesday’s mayoral election to succeed now-Gov. John Hickenlooper.
Unofficial, early totals showed Hancock leading Romer 58 percent to 42 percent, or 63,558 votes to 46,883. Hancock will be sworn in July 18, replacing interim Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vidal.
“Denver, I am proud of our city. We have fought side by side, through very tough times, and today we stand ready for a bright future,” Hancock declared at a victory rally attended by former Mayor Wellington Webb.
Hancock spoke about his difficult upbringing, being one of 10 children raised by a single mother in public housing.
“No one expected a poor kid from northeast Denver to become city councilman. And 16 months ago, no one gave us much of a chance to stand here tonight. But here we are,” he said.
Romer urged the city to unite around the winner.
“In the words of Michael Hancock, we are all Denver,” said Romer, using his rival’s campaign slogan.
Hancock and Romer spent more than $4 million trying to distinguish themselves in the race to succeed Hickenlooper, who didn’t issue an endorsement. Roughly a third of Denver’s 300,000 registered voters had cast ballots before Tuesday.
The candidates agreed on most important issues: raising taxes to complete a mass transit project; dismissing police Chief Gerald Whitman, whose department has been marred by excessive force allegations; and favoring civil unions for same-sex couples.
Both candidates said that they would consolidate some city departments to cut away at a $100 million budget deficit. Hancock said the city would have to continue a freeze on some government positions.
Hancock, 41, was elected to the City Council in 2003. A graduate of Hastings College in Nebraska and the University of Colorado, he also worked at the Denver Housing Authority and the National Civic League.
Hancock and his wife, Mary, have three children.
Romer lost despite working a more aggressive—Hancock called it negative—campaign.
“They’re really not that far apart,” said Seth Masket, an associate professor of political science at the University of Denver. “They’re both very mainstream Denver Democrats, which is why the campaign has focused on personal issues. Otherwise, it’s hard to distinguish.”
Hancock’s remarks during debates gave Romer something to pounce on. At one, Hancock was asked if he believed in evolution. “I believe in God,” he responded. In another, he was asked if creationism should be taught at public schools. He said yes—then said afterward he had misunderstood the question. He insisted that creationism is a religious belief that has no place in public schools.
“At some point, you have to have good judgment to hear a question and then answer it,” Romer said. “And that’s happened a number of times in this race.”
To combat the attacks, Hancock launched a “Clear the Air” section on his campaign website.
Romer’s campaign accused Hancock staffers of heckling officials at events where they endorsed Romer, including James Mejia, who finished third in the first round of voting and was heavily courted by both candidates in the belief he could bring Latino votes.
Romer, whose father is former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, raised nearly $2.6 million to Hancock’s $1.5 million.
Their fundraising exceeded the $2.9 million raised by Hickenlooper and Don Mares in 2003, when Hickenlooper became mayor.
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Associated Press writer Thomas Peipert contributed to this report.
