Aurora Ward I city council race crowding fast as candidates line up for 5 council seats

AURORA | It’s turning out to be a crowded field this year in the Ward I city council race while slots for other council races are beginning to fill in.

So far, five candidates have made official or announced their intention to run as representative for the city’s oldest, most diverse and often most troubled part of town.

The Aurora City Council races are non-partisan, but partisan politics have, for the last several years, played a large role in city council politics and its operation. A measure seeking to require ballots to reveal political party registration failed.

Every elected county, state and congressional office representing Aurora — but one — is held by a registered Democrat. The Aurora City Council, however, is governed by a majority of registered Republicans, former Republicans or members aligning with the Republican Party.

Election Day is Nov. 4. The election is a mail-ballot election, standard in Colorado.

Ward I in Aurora encompasses the oldest parts of the city, and is sometimes referred to as the heart of Aurora. The ward includes the Colfax corridor between Yosemite Street and Chambers Road and from East Sixth Avenue to Interstate 70. 

Incumbent Councilmember Crystal Murillo, a Democrat, has not publicly announced whether she will seek a final term, but five other people have filed with the city their intentions to run.

Candidates so far include Rev. Reid Hettich, Stephen Elkins, Gianina Horton, Christopher Belila and Leandra Steed.

In Ward II, Gayla Carrier has made public her intent to run for the seat currently held by Councilmember Steve Sundberg, a Republican. Sundberg has not publicly announced whether he will seek a second term.

Former Aurora Councilmember Marsha Berzins, a Republican, has made public her intent to reclaim the Ward III council seat, currently held by Councilmember Ruben Medina, a Democrat, who has not announced whether he will seek re-election to a second term. 

In the city’s two at-large council races, only incumbent Danielle Jurinsky, a Republican, has signaled she will run, seeking a second term. 

Ward I, north and northwest Aurora

Rev. Reid Hettich

Hettich, an unaffiliated voter, is a well-known pastor and community leader in Aurora, and he brings more than 20 years of community and church service to Aurora, focusing on community revitalization, equity and public safety. According to Hettich’s campaign website, he plans to “focus on community-driven leadership and delivering real results.” 

Hettich is executive director and founder of Mosaic Unlimited, a church-based organization,  co-owner of the Dayton Street Opportunity Center, chairperson of Aurora’s Key Community Response Team, a member of the Community Advisory Council for Aurora’s Consent Decree and a host of other community boards and programs.

One notable point of pride for Hettich was the work he did with Aurora Public Schools to connect mentors with at-risk students to help improve their chances of graduating. The mentors he helped connect the students with lead to an 80% on-time graduation rate for participants. 

Stephen Elkins

Elkins, an unaffiliated voter and a former planner for the City of Denver is a resident of the Jewell Heights neighborhood. He regularly attends city council meetings, making frequent public comments.

“I think I’m really looking more towards solutions rather than a more hard-edged ideology,” Elkins said, calling himself a centrist. “Most people in this country are toward the middle of things, and I think we need leaders who reflect that as well.”

Elkins currently works for a data center company which he says frequently collaborates with local governments on permitting and project management. He held a variety of positions as a city planner for the City of Denver for more than seven years.

 He said his experience working with municipal bureaucracy will help him effectively represent Ward I residents and improve communication between city officials and the public, he said.

“I enjoy connecting people with government, explaining complex processes, and making sure that people are heard and connected,” Elkins said.

Elkins said, if elected, he would focus on public safety, economic development and government accountability.

Christopher Belila

Belila, who is an unaffiliated voter, is the founder of Beer Bodega in Denver, a partnership business model that offers small Denver metro-based breweries the opportunity to expand their business into new markets, according to Belila.

“Excited to share that I’m running for Aurora City Council, representing Ward I, known for its rich cultural diversity, making it a vibrant community in Colorado,” Belila said in a post on LinkedIn. “Despite its current reputation, Ward I is home to kind-hearted individuals deserving of a positive image.”

Belila said that Ward I faces challenges such as infrastructure investment and public safety, but solutions are within reach. 

“By utilizing governmental tools and taking essential steps, we can strengthen the Ward’s foundation and pave the way for a revitalized Ward I and Colfax corridor,” he said on Linkedin. “As a candidate, my priority is to lay the groundwork for a thriving future. I am committed to empowering city professionals with the expertise to drive meaningful change and supporting initiatives led by experienced leaders to restore and strengthen Ward I. Together, we can create a brighter, more vibrant community.”

He said he aims to champion city professionals with the expertise needed for impactful changes and support initiatives led by experienced individuals to rejuvenate Ward I. 

“Together, let’s work towards a brighter tomorrow for our community,” he said in the statement.

Leandra Steed

Steed, a Democrat, is a director of Equity Matters at Great Education Colorado. She grew up in the metro Aurora area and attended Denver and Aurora Public Schools. She attended the Community College of Denver and received a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. 

Steed has served on various community organizations, including as the chairperson for the NAACP Aurora Education Committee.

Gianina Horton 

Horton, a Democrat, currently serves as the state’s coordinator for reducing racial and ethnic disparities. She previously served as a co-executive director for the Denver Justice Project and a project manager for the Denver Office of the Independent Monitor. 

“We need representatives who are reflective of the communities who live in the areas that have the most need and really engage with community members,” Horton said. “We should be showing up authentically to make sure that our voices and our power is constantly at the table where legislation is being built.”

Horton received a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College in political science and government and went to high school at Denver Center for International Studies. 

“Education was a critical means for me, continuously breaking the cycle that my mother broke, and building off that,” she said.

Horton also served as a member of Aurora’s consent decree Community Advisory Council. 

“It is about building a sense of belonging for all who call Aurora home and making sure that myself as a candidate is building trust between residents and local governance,” Horton said.

Ward II, central-east Aurora

Gayla Charrier

Charrier, a Democrat, is running for the Ward II seat. Incumbent Councilmember Steve Sundberg, finishing his first term, has not made public whether he will seek re-election to the seat. Sundberg owns and manages Challengers Bar and Grill. 

Charrier previously worked in the field of government security for United Launch Alliance, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and currently has a Certified Nurse Assistant license and serves as a caregiver for her non-verbal autistic son.

“I have advocated for him and others within his current school district,” She said. “I am a firm believer in sharing what I have learned with other parents, especially when it pertains to resources for special needs kids.”

Charrier said that during the time she lived in Aurora, she witnessed numerous changes she said she plans to address during her campaign.

Ward II is the largest ward, geographically, in Aurora, including vast tracts of land extending to and beyond Denver International Airport and east to Watkins.s.

Ward III, central-west Aurora

Marsha Berzins 

Berzins is running for city council of Aurora in Ward III. Incumbent Ruben Medina has not made public whether he will seek a second term to the seat. Berzins previously served as the Ward III representative from 2009 to 2021. After stepping down from the city council, she ran unsuccessfully for Arapahoe County treasurer. Berzins is a business owner and continues to serve on multiple community boards and commissions, according to her website.

She said that, if elected, she plans to act as a “unifier and to serve everyone in Aurora,” according to her website. 

Ward III is essentially encompassed by East Sixth Avenue and East  Mississippi Avenue, as well as South Airport Boulevard and East Alameda Parkway.

Two at-large city council seats 

Danielle Jurinsky

Jurinsky, a Republican, has made public that she is running for a second term at-large.

Jurinsky owns and operates JJ’s Place bar and restaurant in Aurora and describes herself as a pro-business city lawmaker.

During her first term, Jurinsky garnered national media attention and that of the Trump presidential campaign, promoting the narrative that immigrant gangs had “overrun” or “taken over” parts of Aurora. Jurinksy’s critics say the false and exaggerated claims she made were for the benefit of a national election season narrative.

Jurinksy is a single mother, and she said on her campaign website that she is “fighting for a stronger, safer Aurora while bridging the gap between Aurora citizens and our local Aurora law enforcement.”

Rob Andrews

Rob Andrews, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for an at-large seat on city council. Andrews is the founder of the One Voice Coalition, a local start-up that works with underserved communities. 

“With a lifelong commitment to service and a deep passion for the community, Andrews is running to bring fresh leadership, bold solutions and a collaborative approach to the city’s challenges,” a statement about Andrews said.

He said his campaign will focus on fostering economic opportunity for all residents, creating high-quality jobs and taking a unique and proven approach to building affordable housing and community-based public safety. Andrews ran for Aurora mayor in 2023, but ultimately decided to drop out in order to not “split the vote” with fellow Democrat Juan Marcano, who started campaigning earlier than Andrews. 

“I love this city, and I believe in its potential,” Andrews said in the statement. “I’m running for City Council because we need affordable housing, economic opportunities that uplift our entire community and safer neighborhoods for all residents. I’ve spent years working to improve lives in Aurora, and I’m ready to take that work to city hall.”

Andrews is a Colorado native, and said he has been involved in economic initiatives in both Adams and Arapahoe Counties, the statement said. He serves on multiple steering committees on public safety reform and economic mobility in Aurora, and his experience includes leadership roles in nonprofits and public service, having served on the Colorado Workforce Development Board, Denver County Workforce Development Board and the Colorado Judicial Performance Commission. He also played professional football for a short while before suffering a career-ending injury. 

“A former professional athlete, Rob’s journey has been defined by resilience, service and a deep commitment to his community,” the statement said. 

Amsalu Kassaw

Kassaw, a Republican, is an Ethiopian-born at-large city councilmember who was appointed to former Councilmember Dustin Zvonek’s vacant seat last fall and said, “he wants to continue to be a voice for the city’s diverse residents,” in a statement.

“Aurora is more than a city to me; it’s a symbol of opportunity, diversity and unity,” Kassaw said in the statement. “From my early days of building a new life in America to becoming a proud citizen, this community has shaped who I am today. Over the years, I have dedicated myself to promoting civic engagement, supporting small businesses and fostering collaboration among diverse communities.”

Kassaw has worked for 20 years in the security industry and currently works as a lieutenant at the GEO Group’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Ethiopian immigrant to hold the office in the state of Colorado, according to the statement. He graduated from Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University and has served his local community in various capacities. 

“I’m honored to be not only a voice for the growing Ethiopian population, but the many immigrant and diverse communities that proudly call Aurora home,” Kassaw said in a statement. “These families and residents deserve a safe and vibrant city that continues to create opportunities for all to succeed, which is why I am running.”

Kassaw said he is focused on creating meaningful opportunities, safer communities, improving infrastructure, and reducing barriers to economic growth.

“This journey isn’t just about me — it’s about us. Together, we can unlock Aurora’s full potential and create a future defined by inclusivity, opportunity, and resilience,” he said in the statement.