By Kyla Pearce | Denver Gazette
Republican incumbents are leading the fundraising race for the Aurora City Council election, which now has a pool of 17 candidates for five seats.
City Council seats up for election are Wards I, II and II and two at-large. A majority of the candidates are running for Ward I and the two at-large seats.
Incumbent Danielle Jurinsky, who is running to keep her at-large seat, has raised over four times the amount of the next highest fundraising candidate. Jurinsky’s campaign has a total of almost $185,000 in contributions, according to Aurora’s campaign finance system.
Jurinsky’s campaign has had a total of 486 contributions, 107 of which were the full possible amount of $1,150.
In 2023, the Aurora City Clerk’s Office adjusted the limits for campaign finance contributions, capping contributions at $450 for ward races and at $1,150 for at-large or mayoral races.
Jurinsky’s contributors included multiple employees of Brannan Sand and Gravel, an asphalt mixing plant, that added up to over $9,000. Westside Investment Partners employees contributed a total of almost $6,000. Employees of public relations firm 76 Group, including former councilmember Dustin Zvonek, contributed a total of over $4,500.
Another almost $29,000 in contributions came from 188 people who listed themselves as “retired.” More than a dozen employees of bars owned by Jurinsky gave a total of over $850.
Current councilmembers Francoise Bergan, Curtis Gardner and Stephanie Hancock contributed to Jurisnky’s campaign as have council candidates Aaron Futrell and Marsha Berzins.
Other donors of note include Aurora Chamber of Commerce President Naomi Colwell, U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, John Fabbricatore, Aurora Highlands Principal and Director Carla Ferreira and Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly.
Incumbent Amsalu Kassaw, who is also running to keep his at-large seat, has raised almost $45,000 for his campaign.
Ward II incumbent Steve Sundberg has raised almost $40,000.
Three new candidates have joined the race since The Denver Gazette’s most recent update. Javier Chavez and Joseph Willett are both running for Ward I, which has seven candidates. Jorge Hernandez is running for an at-large seat. None of the three appear to have active campaign websites yet.