AURORA | Voters have chosen Democratic candidates in most Arapahoe County elections, as early returns come in from the 2024 election.
Arapahoe County Commission District 3: Brown vs Baker
In the Arapahoe County Commissioner race, Republican Jeff Baker is winning by a only 199 votes out of about 49,000 votes cast, as of Wednesday night.
County Commissioner District 3 makes up most of the eastern part of Arapahoe County. The district starts at Buckley Road in the center of the county, with a few spots that start further east. The northern part of Arapahoe County starts east of Piccadilly Road and the southern part starts east of Parker Road.
Scott Brown and incumbent Jeff Baker competed for the position of County Commissioner in District 3. Each offered contrasting visions for the county’s future.
Brown, a Democrat, emphasized the need for local roots and community revitalization for residents eager for change and a fresh perspective in solving existing problems. In contrast, Baker, a Republican, cited his experience and established leadership to highlight his commitment to continuity, effective governance and expertise in navigating the county’s challenges.
Baker took a policy-driven, long-term approach focused on funding, regional partnerships and institutional knowledge, emphasizing his extensive experience. Brown, by contrast, prioritized practical, immediate needs like affordable housing and services, claiming a more personal connection with residents, particularly seniors.
While Baker advocated county-led projects for issues like homelessness, Brown pushed for varied housing options and accessible services, presenting a fresh, people-focused perspective.
| Race | Candidate | Arapahoe County | Adams County | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTD District F | Bernard Celestin | 20,748 | 0 | 20748 |
| RTD District F | Kathleen Chandler | 23,834 | 0 | 23834 |
| 18th JD District Attorney | D-Amy Padden | 120,697 | 0 | 120697 |
| 18th JD District Attorney | R-Carol Chambers | 87,750 | 0 | 87750 |
| Arapahoe County Commissioner Dist 3 | D-Scott Brown | 24,908 | 0 | 24908 |
| Arapahoe County Commissioner Dist 3 | R-Jeff Baker | 24,079 | 0 | 24079 |
| Adams County Commissioner Dist 1 | D-Julie Duran Mullica | 0 | 87,419 | 87419 |
| Adams County Commissioner Dist 1 | R-Shelly McClure | 0 | 77,015 | 77015 |
| Adams County Commissioner Dist 5 | D-Lynn Baca | 0 | 88,099 | 88099 |
| Adams County Commissioner Dist 5 | R-Jim Wood | 0 | 74,153 | 74153 |
Adams County Commissioner in District 5
Democrat Lynn Baca is leading the race for the Adams County Commissioner in District 5 by 54%.
In the race for Adams County Commissioner in District 5, incumbent Democrat Lynn Baca competed with local business owner Jim Wood, a Republican. Both candidates brought different backgrounds and visions for the county’s future.
District 5 makes up the easternmost part of Adams County. It surrounds Denver International Airport and starts slightly west of Brighton Boulevard. Denver County runs the area around the airport, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal space is in District 2 of Adams County.
All county residents voted for District 2 County Commissioners.
As a Democrat, Baca emphasized inclusivity and progressive growth for Adams County. Her priorities include improving quality of life, raising wages, creating affordable housing and protecting the environment. Baca wants to balance the preservation of the county’s heritage with the need for modernization.
Representing the Republican perspective, Wood promoted a self-reliant approach, emphasizing sustainable agriculture and community service. His business background suggests a focus on economic development, leveraging his experience in entrepreneurship to enhance the local economy.
Baca’s deep roots in the community and focus on inclusivity contrast with Wood’s entrepreneurial spirit and emphasis on self-reliance. Voters considered their priorities—leaning toward Baca’s progressive, community-oriented approach over Wood’s business-minded, sustainable practices.
Adams County Commissioner District 1
Democrat Julie Duran Mullica is winning Adams County Commissioner District 1 with 53% of the vote.
The Adams County Commissioner District 1 race offered voters a decision between two candidates to replace Eva Henry: Mullica and Republican Shelly McClure.
District 1 is in the western part of Adams County. It covers a small area between 88th Avenue and 120th Avenue, and Huron Street and Colorado Boulevard. A small pocket extends east to Quebec Street, and a small area extends west to Sheridan Boulevard.
All Adams County residents voted for District 1 County Commissioners.
Mullica focused her campaign on affordable housing, public health and smart growth, aiming to balance economic development with infrastructure and family needs.
Her opponent, Shelly McClure, prioritized reducing taxes, supporting law enforcement and promoting fiscal responsibility. She also focused on local business growth, senior care and preserving community values.
As voters made their chioce, they had to weigh Mullica’s institutional knowledge and focus on housing, science and health against McClure’s expertise in education and business and focus on fiscal responsibility, community support and economic growth.
Mullica is married to State Senator Kyle Mullica, who represents Thornton and Northglenn through Federal Heights in Senate District 24.
The race for RTD District F
RTD District F appears to have been won by Republican candidate Kathleen Chandler with 53% of the vote.
As the Colorado election cycle finishes up, two candidates with personal connections to the state’s public transportation system offered their vision for improving mobility and serving the community in RTD District F.
Chandler, a political consultant and advocate for conservative causes, came out ahead of Bernard Celestin, a former U.S. Army veteran and longtime RTD bus driver. Their contrasting views offered voters a choice between hands-on service experience with Celestin and a focus on broader policy reform with Chandler.
RTD District F is located East of 225, between Colfax Avenue and E. Belleview Ave. The district covers the most eastern part of Aurora. District F is essentially Aurora east of I-225, south of East Colfax Avenue and north of Parker Road.
Both candidates highlighted the importance of transportation in their careers. As a former RTD bus operator, Celestin has firsthand experience with the challenges and significance of public transit. Chandler emphasizes transportation as essential for empowering families and ensuring access to jobs and education, based on her experiences as a working single mother.
18th Judicial District new district attorney
Democrat Amy Padden has won the 18th Judicial District Attorney seat with 58% of the vote.
“I will fight violent crime in the district, address the mental health and substance abuse crises that far too many of our residents are experiencing and protect our most vulnerable, including our seniors, our children and our new Americans,” Padden said in a statement. “I will make sure every member of our diverse Arapahoe County community, whether they are a victim, a witness or an individual accused of a crime, is heard and protected by our courts.”
The district, once covering Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, now only includes Arapahoe County.
“I am grateful for and humbled by the trust the citizens of the County have placed in
Me,” Padden said in a statement. “Please know that your confidence in my vision for justice in JD18 is not misplaced.”
DA John Kellner, whose term ends in 2025, did not seek re-election, leaving Republican Carol Chambers and Padden to vie for the position.
A district attorney prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the government, and the 18th Judicial District DA holds significant power in deciding whether to file charges under Colorado law.
Carol Chambers, a former DA for the district who served from 2004 to 2012, decided to run again after retirement, citing the need for a Republican on the ballot, according to Colorado Community Media.
With nearly 20 years of public service, Padden offered a different vision. Her platform focused on community safety through reform, emphasizing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, especially for nonviolent offenders.
Chambers focused on strict law enforcement, crime prevention, and traditional accountability, and emphasized a strong victim support and increased juror pay. She also suggested AI as a tool to address racial sentencing disparities.
Padden prioritized reducing recidivism through rehabilitation, diversion programs and mental health initiatives. She aims to reform the justice system to address overcharging, sentence disparities and racial bias by expanding the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU). A CIU is a division of a prosecutor’s office that investigates claims of wrongful convictions.
Both support law enforcement with calls for balanced approaches and fair treatment for all in the justice process.