Tim O’Brien, at a candidate forum in March, pulled off an upset, defeating Councilman Chris Nevitt for Denver city auditor in Tuesday’s election. (Lynn Bartels, The Denver Post)
Departing Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher on Wednesday distanced himself from Chris Nevitt, a day after Nevitt’s surprising loss in the race for auditor.
Denver voters choose former state auditor , a councilman who wracked up the big donations and the big endorsements, including Gallagher’s. O’Brien took 53 percent of the vote to Nevitt’s 47 percent.
The outcome of the race likely altered Denver politics, observers said.
For weeks Gallagher had pushed Nevitt’s candidacy, but he said Wednesday in recent days he had became concerned about Nevitt’s operation. Nevitt was unavailable for immediate comment.
“I haven’t seen such a bad campaign since Mark Udall,” Gallagher said.
That’s a reference to Colorado’s U.S. senator, by Republican Congressman Cory Gardner. Udall became the first incumbent senator in Colorado to lose in 36 years.
Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher, who leaves office in July, in recent days returned to the Colorado state Capitol, where he launched his political career. (Provided by CBS4)
Gallagher believes the auditor’s race is evidence of the strong anti-politician sentiment that has permeated the country.
“All you need to have in your message is ‘I’m a professional.’ That’s what worked for O’Brian and it worked quite well,” Gallagher said.
Gallagaher, who is term limited in July, has served in public office for 40 years and is famous for his annual St. Patrick’s Day party and all things Irish. He said he had voters say, “You’re supporting O’Brien, right?” because of the Irish surnames.
Gallagher has other connections to O’Brien, too. When Gallagher taught at Regis University, O’Brian was one of his students. And Gallagher appointed O’Brien to his audit committee.
The race altered Denver politics, Gallagher and others said. Two former auditors, Bill McNichols and Wellington Webb, have become mayor of Denver; another, Don Mares, tried. Nevitt’s name had come up as a possible contender when Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, , is term limited in eight years.
Gallagher also said Nevitt’s defeat and the thrashing of Councilwoman Susan Shepherd by newcomer Rafael Espinoza, 69 percent to 31 percent, sends a message that voters are fed up and want to be heard, especially on issues concerning growth and development. Espinoza seized on that issue in north Denver to beat Shepherd.
“People believe development has taken control. Have you driven along Tennyson between 44th and 46th?” Gallagher asked, referring to new tall homes built close to the edges of the property lines. “It’s like driving through a canyon.”
