2003 Denver Mayoral Election
We finally have results from a poll in the Denver Mayor's race. The Rocky Mountain News has a story about a Rocky Mountain News/News 4 poll conducted Tuesday and Wednesday. The poll showed Don Mares in front with 24% of the vote followed by Ari Zavaras (19%). 2 other candidates are within striking distance, John Hickenlooper (14%) and Penfield Tate (12%). This means the race for a space in the runoff election is essentially wide open.
The Rocky's endorsement of John Hickenlooper was made after the poll was taken so the effect of the endorsement has not been measured yet. I'm amazed that Susan Casey (5%) is showing so poorly in the race. It doesn't look like Denver will have a woman in the highest elected office this year. Elizabeth Schlosser (1%) and Phill Perrington (2%) are way behind. Schlosser has been working hard to gain name recognition and I'm sure she is disappointed in the poll.
What do we think here at Coyote Gulch? It's way too early to sit back if you're a Mares or Zavaras supporter. They aren't in a runoff yet. I think Hickenlooper will end up in the runoff with one of the two front runners. I'll call that the Rocky effect. Conversation yesterday pointed to the Rocky's endorsement of both Federico Pena and Wellington Webb when they were underdogs. The Denver Post may determine the runoff with their endorsement. You also have to include the hand shaking effect. Don Mares has been walking the neighborhoods several times a week for quite a while now. This worked well for Wellington Webb and it seems to be working for Mares along with his having won a city-wide election before. There is always the richest candidate effect to contend with. Zavaras could leverage all his dough to influence voters also. Hickenlooper has the humorous ad space right now.Lots of fun to speculate isn't it?
The Rocky also has a story on how the war in Iraq is effecting the Mayoral contest. Well if the war is limiting coverage of the Mayor's race how would you like to be a candidate for Auditor or City Council. There hasn't been much coverage at all.
8:00:09 AM 
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