On Election Day, from coast to coast, the people made their voices heard. But let’s talk about what happened right here at home, in the city of Aurora.
The people of Aurora made a clear and conscious choice. They demanded that compassion, respect, dignity, and care for everyday people be restored inside Aurora City Hall, the people’s house.
Aurora witnessed a clean sweep. All five city council seats. Every last one. That was not luck or coincidence; that was the power of the people rising up. That was a battle of people versus money, passion versus politics, conscience versus corruption.
This was the sound of a city saying “ENOUGH!” Enough of the self-serving, self-centered politicians. Enough of the backroom deals and the disrespect. Aurora stood up and said, “No more business as usual.”
The people are demanding something better. We are demanding leadership that sees us, hears us, and fights for the future we want for our legacy. We are demanding leaders who live by the words they speak, who walk it like they talk it.
The days of keeping quiet to be accepted are gone. The new Aurora City Council reflects the real Aurora: a vibrant mosaic of cultures, bold, united, and unapologetically of the people. What happened Election Night was not just a political shift; it was a spiritual and ethical renewal. Aurora looked at those trying to erase diversity, equity, and inclusion and said, “Not just no, but HELL NO.”
We value diversity. We value courage. We value leaders who are unafraid to stand tall. Just like the name Aurora means dawn, what we saw was a sunrise, a new beginning for this city.
And at the heart of this new dawn stands a slate that represents the soul of the people. Alli Jackson is the heart and soul of this movement. She is steady, grounded, and full of compassion.
Rob Andrews is its determination. He boasts the unshakeable will to keep going no matter the obstacle.
Ruben Medina is the balance and the focus, the calm presence that keeps the mission clear.
Amy Wiles is the spunk and the spirit, the reminder that joy and creativity have a place in leadership.
And Gianina Horton is the grit. She is the strength to push forward when others would give up.
Together, they embody the very essence of Aurora: resilient, diverse, and bold. They are the people’s reflection.
Now, with a six-to-four council in favor of the people, dignity can return to City Hall. The era of bullying, name-calling, and belittling our neighbors is over.
However, as we celebrate, we will not be naive. We will remain vigilant. Power never goes quietly. There will be attempts to rush deals, shift control, and weaken this victory. Our vigilance starts now.
To the incoming leaders, congratulations. You earned this through courage, character, and consistency. The people saw in you what they needed to see in themselves: hope. Remember, this moment isn’t about holding power. It’s about returning it to the people. This isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting point. Now comes the cleanup. Undoing the mess left by those who sold out values for profit and laying down a stronger foundation for Aurora’s future.
And to the people, especially those who voted for the first time, this belongs to you. You reminded the world that every vote counts and every voice matters.
Do not let up! The work continues as we move toward the 2026 midterms, with state, federal, and local races on the line. Keep that same energy. If you get tired, switch to cruise control. If we don’t have cruise control, then put a brick on the gas. Because change doesn’t stop here. It starts here.
Let’s keep pushing back on dark money and special interests that think they can buy our city. Tell them the people are in charge now. Got your coat, get your hat! The people have reclaimed their power.
This moment belongs to us: the organizers, the elders, the families, the young folks, the first-time voters, and those who have consistently fought. It belongs to everyone who decided that silence was no longer an option.
Aurora, the dawn is here. Let’s get to work.
Hashim Coates is a longtime political strategist, formerly served on Aurora Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee and Human Relations Commission, a former Arapahoe County Commissioner candidate, and Chairperson of the Colorado Black Democrats.
As this socialist, want to be but never elected politician, states in the Sentinel Blog, three days after the election of most of his socialist friends:
Aurora, the dawn is here.
I couldn’t agree more. The dawn before the storm. Aurora will follow the same path as New York City over the next few years, I strongly predict. Now Aurora, like NYC becomes an experiment in Socialism for a couple of years. Doomed to failure.
The Sentinel Blog will print every word that local socialists say while this Council is in session and the conservative views will fade into the Newspaper sunset. The only thing that will remain the same is that the Sentinel Blog will continue to beg for cash.
Conservative candidates hopefully learned from this election that advertising in the Sentinel Blog didn’t work so well. Did it? Suggest you try something new next time with all your fund raising.
My last question is how long before we hear from MiDian and all her black radical friends? How long before we here weekly from the Lewis family radicals in letters like this one? Maybe Dave you could start a weekly column from the Democratic Socialist organization. You know, like a new dawn.
Well, Dick, the people have spoken. That’s how democracy works.
So whine away!
Pretty rich coming from you, Jeffy-poo, who whines that democracy is dying every time your side loses an election.
“Jeffy-poo”?
Nice to see your taste in forced nicknames matches your abysmal understanding of government.
Well Jeff, I do understand how government works, quite well. I hope the new Council people do well to make Aurora a better place to live. I’ll watch closely how well they handle a balanced budget. As will you. I’ll certainly discuss things when they make poor decisions in my opinion.
What I’ll not do is “whine” and I think poorly of you that you think that I do whine.
Tells us all something negative about you.
And with that I’m off to Australia for a few weeks.