AURORA | Three Aurora Democrats have applied to fill an open seat for Colorado House District 41, replacing Rep. Iman Jodeh, who resigned from the position after winning the open State Senate 29 seat Monday night.
Anne Keke, PhD., Aly DeWills-Marcano and Jamie Jackson, have submitted candidacy paperwork for the Colorado State House District 41 seat, setting the stage for a Jan. 22 Democratic Party vacancy nomination process.
Local party officials said there are 19 people on the vacancy committee, but the names of the committee members are released only to vacancy applicants.
Candidates so far vying for the open seat say they would focus on issues such as education, living costs and housing accessibility.
Anne Keke
Keke is an immigrant from Cote d’Ivoire, educator and single mother who has boasts her record of community service and leadership. Since joining the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education in 2021, Keke said she has played a key role in securing over $1 billion for APS through Ballot Measures 5A and 5B, ensuring critical funding without raising taxes.
“I am running for House District 41 because I believe every Coloradan deserves an equitable chance to thrive,” Keke said in a statement. “It is time for bold leadership in our district.”
Beyond her work with APS, Keke has served in leadership roles that include the Colorado Association of School Boards, Aurora’s Charter Review Committee and member of the Aurora Police Department Citizen Oversight Committee.
She said, if appointed, she would tackle the housing crisis issues, enhancing public education, fostering economic growth and ensuring community safety.
“I am committed to bringing solutions that address our housing crisis, promote quality education, drive economic prosperity, and ensure the safety and well-being of all our communities,” Keke said. “It is time for bold leadership in District 41.”
Aly DeWills-Marcano
DeWills-Marcano, a longtime advocate for working families, says she brings a deep understanding of the daily challenges faced by Aurora residents.
DeWills-Marcano is married to former Aurora City Councilmember Juan Marcano.
Having experienced housing instability and homelessness firsthand, DeWills-Marcano has dedicated her career to housing issues. She currently runs a Colorado eviction and foreclosure defense hotline, connecting families at risk of homelessness with critical resources.
“I know what it’s like to face barriers, but I also know how to fight for change,” DeWills-Marcano said. “I’m running to be a voice for those who too often go unheard.”
As an ambulatory wheelchair user with a chronic illness, DeWills-Marcano also champions disability rights and accessibility. She aims to break barriers for people with disabilities in the legislature, a passion supported by former state House Rep. David Ortiz, Colorado’s first wheelchair user in the state House.
Her campaign focuses on affordable housing, healthcare access and creating equitable opportunities for all.
“I grew up all throughout the Denver Metro area, including Aurora, and I experienced housing instability and homelessness as a kid and throughout my teenage years,” DeWills-Marcano said. “As a result of that, I had a really lifelong passion for housing issues and for helping working families.”
Jamie Jackson
Jackson, a Denver native and longtime community advocate, brings extensive experience in criminal justice reform and public health. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at The Naloxone Project, Jackson said she has dedicated her career to saving lives and fostering second chances.
“What greater way to serve your community than to be able to save someone’s life and give them another chance to do things the right way?” she said.
She also serves as the vice president of the Colorado Black Women for Political Action and the criminal justice chairperson for Aurora NAACP.
“Housing is a human right, and so affordability is one of the policy priorities that I have,” she said.
Jackson’s policy priorities include housing affordability, healthcare access and equity, criminal justice reform and evidence-based criminal justice reform. She is passionate about protecting aging populations and ensuring access to high-quality healthcare.
“It’s so important for us to make sure that the legislation that we’re passing is grounded and based on evidence because we don’t have money to throw away,” she said about careful legislative choices for a deficit budget.