AURORA | Aurora City Council is publicly interviewing three finalists Monday afternoon from among 34 applicants to fill a vacant at-large council seat following the resignation of Councilmember Dustin Zvonek on Oct. 31.
Zvonek stepped down citing family concerns and his new role at a political lobbying firm. The council is expected to name his replacement in December, with the appointee serving the remainder of Zvonek’s term, which ends next fall.
The finalists,interviewed during as part of a city council study session, bring diverse professional backgrounds and civic engagement experience to the table. Here’s a closer look at the contenders.
Check back later Monday for a report on the interviews.
Danielle Lammon: Republican from 80016. She is the CEO of Buddy Publishing and the agency owner of Danielle Shannon Insurance Agency. She has a BA in Biology and Psychology at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Lammon serves on the BPF Imagination Library Aurora, Imagination Library Colorado, Spina Bifida Association of Colorado and CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation. In her application, she said she is committed to enhancing public safety through supporting police and fire departments. She also said she comprehensively understands the city’s budget from serving five years on the Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee. Two notable references are Mordecai Brownlee, the president of Community College Aurora and Naomi Colwell, the president and CEO of Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
Amsalu Kassaw: Republican from 80016, is a lieutenant at Geo Group INC. for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is also the public relations director for the Ethiopian American Civic Council and was selected as Aurora’s 2024 Community Spirit Service Award recipient. Kassaw said he is a community organizer, human rights advocate and public servant. He said he volunteers for community grassroots services and believes public service is essential for the city to serve the people he cares about. Two notable references are Priscilla Rahn, a teacher for Denver Public Schools who ran for Douglas County Commissioner, and Hanna Bogale, an Ethiopian-American entrepreneur who ran for Aurora City Council.
Jonathan McMillan: Unaffiliated from 80011, is the director of firearm-related harm and violence prevention at Trailhead Institute. He previously worked as the director of Gun Violence Prevention for the State of Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Before that, he was the director of youth violence prevention for the City and County of Denver, Office Of Children’s Affairs. McMillian spent time in prison and emerged as an advocate for youth-violence prevention and addressing addictions. He serves on the State of Colorado Justice Assistance Grant Board, the Denver Crime Prevention and Control Commission and the Denver District Attorney’s Community Advisory Board. Two references were previous Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and current Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.