2019 Mayoral Candidate Marsha Berzins. Photo by Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado 
2019 Mayoral Candidate Renie Peterson. Photo by Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado 
2019 Mayoral Candidate Mike Coffman Photo by Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado 
2019 Mayoral Candidate Omar Montgomery Photo by Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado 
2019 Mayoral Candidate Ryan Frazier Photo by Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado
AURORA | Five candidates, with a range of political experience, have elevated the Aurora mayoral race to the national spotlight with endorsements and national issues seeping into the historically non-partisan election.
The five candidates are: Ryan Frazier, who served on the city council over a decade ago, current Ward III city councilwoman Marsha Berzins, former Ward II city councilwoman Renie Peterson, former Aurora Congressman Mike Coffman, a Republican who fell to the so-called “blue wave” in 2018, and Omar Montgomery, a college professor and president of the local NAACP chapter.
Scroll down for detailed information about each candidate.
Tiffany Grays, a longtime Aurora resident, is also a certified write-in candidate. She didn’t meet the required number of signatures needed to be on the ballot, according to city staff.
The Aurora mayor typically serves as the voice of Aurora, only having a say on the dais when a vote requires a tie breaker. But candidates have been weighing on what direction they’d like to see the city take on issues ranging from public safety and gun violence to gentrification and a growing population.
Watch the televised 2019 Aurora mayoral candidate debate
Montgomery was endorsed by gun control advocate Gabby Giffords, a former Arizona congresswoman who was shot in 2011, and her group, called “Giffords.”
“One thing we focus on is gun violence and what our elected officials can do, and when we were looking at this mayoral race we saw the contrast between the candidates,” said Giffords managing director Robin Lloyd. “It’s inspiring to hear (Montgomery) talk on this issue and the stark difference to Mike Coffman, who was in the pocket of the NRA and did nothing to address gun violence.”
Coffman, who said there was no place for national politics in the non-partisan mayoral race, said he believes the best way to reduce gun violence in Aurora is through strong enforcement of existing state and federal laws. Likewise, Peterson said “Unfortunately, the major problem is that people who do not follow the laws will always find a way to get guns.”
Frazier said in an editorial published in the Sentinel he’d create a commission on gun violence to “delve deeper into local solutions.”
Coffman has the endorsement from the Fraternal Order of Police, the bargaining union for the city’s police officers, while Berzins earned support from the Aurora Police Association early on in the race.
One of the chief jobs of the mayor will be uniting a divided city council.
“I truly think I can get along with just about anyone who is on city council,” said Montgomery, adding that he wants to be able to get council members to separate feelings from city business on the dais.
Coffman told the Sentinel the job of mayor is more about managing the political process.
“Some of the reality is to say look, ‘There are people on council that will move on and so you’re going to have to recognize that and give them some license and bring forward the issues that aren’t necessarily related,’” he said.
On being a voice for the city, Coffman said it goes beyond talking up Aurora, it’s pointing out the good in the local school districts, particularly Aurora Public Schools, too.
“I think one thing the mayor can do is to speak about the positive things that are happening in the school district all the time,” he said. “I’m not going to get into education debates, that’s for the school board. But I want to be a positive friend to what they’re doing because it’s important for the mayor to do that.”
Berzins and Peterson, who have both served on recent city councils, say the mayor’s job is to bring opposing points of view to common ground.
“As mayor, I will stress communication between councilmembers. We all want what is best for Aurora but (are) going about it in different ways,” Berzins said. “I will urge respect and decorum. Our actions and words should reflect the wishes of the residents we represent, not a political party. I will be happy to be a liaison between councilmembers to help settle disputes.”
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