With 12 candidates running for mayor in the upcoming elections on April 4, it’s critical to be in the know. Below, you will find a brief synopsis (in alphabetical order) on each candidate based on their backgrounds and their future promises. Be sure to check out each individual’s mayoral websites for more details.
Sallie Clark
Sallie Clark, who served as El Paso County commissioner from 2005 through 2017, announced her candidacy for the 2023 mayoral election in late 2022. She has also served as a Colorado Springs City Councilmember, a Colorado Springs Utilities board member, President of National Association of Counties (NACo), and has most recently served as the Colorado director for rural development with the U.S Department of agriculture.
Clark’s background has allowed her to work with projects and initiatives such as the Wild Canyon Fire Recovery, Community Wildfire Protection Plans for El Paso County, and Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.
In an interview with KOAA News5, Clark states her top three priorities as being public safety, reducing homelessness, and championing affordable housing. Other priorities include well-maintained streets and transportation systems, improving emergency response times, wildfire and pre-disaster planning, support for military families and veterans, and “quality of life – for all of us,” she says. In order to achieve these priorities Clark plans to publish a four-year road map
with the city setting short, medium, and long-term goals.
Clark states that she shares the same goals with the community of Colorado Springs. These goals are listed in a statement on her mayoral website: “clean streets, smooth roads, kids who feel safe walking to good schools, trails that are well-maintained and welcoming, and the assurance that our water and utility needs are met,” she says.
She has owned a small business in the city for over 36 years and served on both local and federal levels of government within that time. Former mayor Steve Bach announced his endorsement for Sallie Clark on March 13th, 2023, stating “this is a critical moment for our community in public safety, affordable housing, and managed water resources. Sallie is a person of high character and integrity with decades of experience leading our community forward for the benefit of everyone,” he says.
For more information, visit: https://sallieclarkmayor.com/
by Chloe Ortiz, staff writer
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Andrew Dalby
Andrew Dalby is a Colorado Springs native and small business owner. He is running as a self-professed “anti-corruption Mayoral Candidate,” as his website says. While he does not have a background in politics, he’s been active in the community as a small business owner. He says that “… a government cannot be for the people unless it is of the people.”
On his website, he says: “He is passionate about government integrity, and needs your help to end the corruption in local
government.” He says, “The government is best that governs least.”
Dalby plans to implement term limits on politicians. He says that “Power corrupts, and the longer a politician is in office, the more corrupt they become.” He plans to “Prioritize Public Safety, Good Roads, and Parks you want to bring your kids to,” his website says.
On public transportation, Dalby says “Public Transportation as implemented in Colorado Springs is a cruel joke… As a result, no one rides the bus.” He proposes to “eliminate the bus service as it exists. It is unusable and unused. It actively makes things worse,” he says. So, he wants to “implement a useable, timely, self-supporting public transportation system such as trolleys in the neighborhoods where it makes sense,” he says.
When asked about how he intended to improve Colorado Springs’ image regarding being perceived as being racist, misogynistic, and having poor treatment of its homeless and/or lower-income residents, he said, “As a wealthy, straight, white, Christian Man, I know it is impossible to change the perception of people who are prejudiced against me and falsely attribute all the world’s problems to people like me… I have no intention to kowtow toward Haters and Bigots, nor any desire to attract them to live here… I will, however, continue to seek justice for all and equality before the law, while reaching out to disadvantaged
individuals of whatever their physical characteristics or background.”
If elected, he does not plan on seeking reelection after serving his term. He also plans to “Prioritize Public Safety, Good Roads, and Parks you want to bring your kids to,” Dalby says. And he plans to “Fulfill the duties of Mayor competently, professionally, and without favoritism,” he says.
Click here for an in-depth interview from KOAA with Dalby.
by Latrice Owens, staff writer
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Darryl Glenn
Retired U.S. Airforce Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Glenn is one of twelve Mayoral candidates on the ballot in Colorado Springs for the April 4th Nonpartisan Municipal Election.
Glenn, winner of the Colorado Republican Senate nomination in 2016, has more than fifteen years of experience in publicly elected office. His involvement includes serving as a City Councilmember from 2003-2011 and as a member of the board of elected officials responsible for overseeing a $350 million municipal operating budget, a $1 billion four-service municipal utility company, and a $600 million municipal health care system.
He received his B.S. degree from the United States Air Force Academy, a master’s in business administration from Western New England College, and a J.D. degree from the New England School of Law.
His platform priorities include strict criminal sentencing. “My top priority is fixing our growing crime problem. My goal is to make Colorado Springs the safest city in the nation. I believe this focus will prove to be the most crucial factor in the attraction, expansion and retention of our businesses and workforce development,” his website says, and “I will be placing more emphasis on modifying our city code to increase penalties, to include jail time for crimes against our citizens and their property. I will lead a coalition to repeal legislation that makes it easier for people to commit crimes.”
His platform also includes goals such as a city-wide zero tolerance policy for panhandling, implement a more balanced infrastructure improvement plan, opposition to the implementation of federal and state ordered vaccine and mask mandates at the local level, and Flexible Zoning that expands the areas within the city for community gardens and other areas for people to raise food.
For more information about Darryl Glenn, visit www.darrylglenn4colorado.com.
by Kat Atherton, staff writer
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Longinos Gonzalez Jr.
Longinos Gonzalez Jr. is a current sitting member of the El Paso County Commission in Colorado, representing District 4 as County Commissioner . He beat out Democrat Liz Rosenbaum in 2016, and won reelection in 2020 with over 56 percent of the vote.
Gonzales has a long history of armed service. He is a USAF Academy graduate, retired Lieutenant Colonel intelligence officer, and serves on the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs. He has worked in education as well, as a university associate professor at University of Southern California, middle school science teacher as Carmel Middle School, Teacher of the Year nominee by a local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and received the “Chilangar Award” during his tenure at USC.
His local political record includes acting as Chair of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, Chair of the Front Range counties subcommittee, and Chair of the Colorado Springs Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee, and is serving currently as one of seven members of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs.
Gonzalez’s political bent angles towards conservatism. He promotes conservative values philosophy, and advocates for fiscal responsibility, restraint, and transparency, along with vowing to “stop the tax increase proposals the city continues to pursue every other year,”he says. His main priorities are improving public safety, upgrading roads and infrastructure, and addressing Colorado Springs’ tremendous growth and housing concerns.
“I believe that public safety is government’s #1 job, and that every resident should feel safe in their neighborhood and their home. Our community deserves excellence in meeting critical service needs such as police and fire response. To accomplish this, I will ensure we address our police staffing shortages with better retention and recruiting, reverse the increasing crime rates locally, and improve the city’s call response times,” Gonzalez told KKTV in an interview.
During his time as commissioner, he – along with other commissioners — objected to an imposed mask mandate in mid-2020 and was opposed to vaccine mandates throughout his tenure. His policy preferences and ideas lean towards the political right, but his priority concerns for Colorado Springs are bipartisan, and targeted at improving every citizen daily life.
For more information, visit: https://www.longinosformayor.com/
by RJ Wagner, staff writer
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Lawrence Joseph Martinez
Lawrence Joseph Martinez is among 12 candidates running for mayor. With the election taking place April 4, it is informative to find out just who exactly Martinez is and what he stands for. Though having no prior political experience, he does not mean that he cannot lead.
“We have elected officials who cannot serve or lead our community forward with a chance for all to succeed,” Martinez said for KKTV.
In Colorado Springs for 42 years, Martinez has been deeply involved in the community. He has worked 17 years with the “El Pomar Foundation’s Elevating Leadership Development” program, in which he has been able to let the needs of the community be known to local leaders. He has been a Phlebotomy and a Hazardous materials technician at Pikes Peak State College, and has previously worked as a hospice home care specialist as a business consultant.
His top priorities are housing and jobs. Martinez strongly advocates for affordable housing, as jobs often do not accumulate a living salary. Martinez says that increasing access to affordable housing reduces childhood poverty. Higher incomes can afford higher rents, yet it leaves lower income earners to “fight over an insufficient pool of available rental housing,” he said for KKTV.
“Colorado Springs must do more to care for its homeless population,” Martinez said for the Gazette. “The city should offer more opportunities to homeless people to expand their workability,” he adds.
He notes that representation for minorities is important, so if elected, Martinez would develop an open-door policy. This policy would involve residents by holding public town halls, and even suggests a regular podcast produced by the city, where the community calls in to ask direct questions to city leaders.
Martinez also wants more students to be prepared for job training among businesses and local schools. “The children are our future,” he said for the Gazette.
For an in-depth interview with Martinez, visit KKTV: https://www.kktv.com/2023/03/04/in-depth-interview-with-city-colorado-springs-mayoral-candidate-lawrence-joseph-martinez/
by Ally Archuleta, staff writer
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Jim Miller
Jim Miller, a current candidate for mayor in Colorado Springs, holds hope to create true community for Springs residents. He intends to incorporate everyone by giving them a place in political matters and forming spaces for citizens in political disputes.
Before running for mayor Jim Miller was not familiar with politics whatsoever, in fact he was just known as the owner of a local tire and vending business.
However, with his business Miller was able to aid the community of Colorado Springs every day, and with helping them he gained the ability to understand what the people wanted. Which is a place in decisions or conclusions made by the Colorado Springs council.
Miller’s reasons for joining the election go beyond what he has heard about, and instead form from his personal experiences while living in Colorado Springs.
As someone who didn’t grow up wealthy, Miller had to work and strive for greater things. Working hard every day and learning to not waste resources, but to Miller the Springs weren’t keeping up with him. As he grew, he noticed that Colorado was not accommodating their residents needs, even as far as their safety (potholes, pedophiles, etc.). A state where resident’s taxes were put towards government waste, and what was intended to be done with citizens money wasn’t being communicated with those who would pay their taxes.
Communication is key, which is why Jim Miller advocates for the people to be our priority, that the city needs to work for them. He promises to become a mayor that supports residents and provides a place in which they feel comfortable and included. A space where people have a say in their lives, and their children’s.
For more information, visit: https://coloradosprings.gov/city-clerk/page/whats-ballot
by Isabella Leo, staff writer
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Christopher Mitchell
As a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, Christopher Mitchell is running for Mayor of Colorado Springs this April. Based out of Colorado Springs, he is an Electrical Engineering Contractor supporting various technology companies. Mitchell has been an advocate for the residents of the community for a long time.
Some of his previous contributions to the city include being an independent volunteer during the Waldo Canyon Fire. He provided logistical services and volunteer engineering to residents during that time in 2012. He also supported the operations of non-profit organizations for debris removal, public safety, and home rebuilding efforts following the Waldo Canyon Fire. Promoting Health and Wellness, Patriotism, Public Safety, Open Space Conservation, and Community Involvement in Colo Springs have been some of his values for the city. Lastly, he has been an advocate for the COS Creek Plan.
As an engineer by trade, he has over 27 years of experience and practical working knowledge to 1) formulate long-term goals and develop action plans to achieve desired outcomes; 2) build, manage, and lead teams; and 3) produce departmental budgets. His platform includes a variety of different resources for the community including a “brass tacks” communication and problem-solving style, fiscal responsibility and accountability in government, and conservationist growth policies designed to bring stability to housing costs.
According to KOAA news, he says “As a longtime resident of Colorado Springs, I am very aware of the issues relevant to the local community.” He promises growth, community, and public safety. He wants to formulate and implement a set of pro-resident “graduated growth planning” policies concerning land use and a set of clean city policies addressing trash cleanup, homeless population, and gang violence. Lastly, he promises to reduce workforce deficits in public safety services and increase service coverage.
Mitchell says that “focusing on the nexus of growth and conservation is one of the most important things the city needs to do.”
For more information visit: https://patriotcowboyrevolution.com/
by Michael Martinez, staff writer
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Yemi Mobalade
Yemi Mobolade is a political independent focused on leadership, public safety, infrastructure and “economic vitality,” according to a survey conducted by KRCC. He is a local businessman, co-founder of the Good Neighbors Meeting House and The Wild Goose Meeting House.
According to Mobolade’s website, his three principal issues are public safety, infrastructure, and small business. His platform on public safety focuses on police training and staffing, increasing training facilities and recruiting from minority populations, and crisis intervention. He says that he will prevent crime by expanding treatment for mental health and substance abuse, and expanding pre-existing initiatives to bolster the relationship between the community and police.
Mobolade says that he is “committed to permanent funding through a variety of mechanisms, including the extension of 2C, to help improve the condition of Colorado Springs roads,” says the KRCC survey. On public transportation, Mobolade vows to champion the implementation of the ConnectCOS plan. He also pledges to maintain continued funding of parks and open spaces.
His plans for economic vitality are largely focused on “removing red tape” to promote small businesses to “expand economic opportunity to all Colorado Springs residents,” his site says. Specific plans involve expanding sales tax exemptions, recruiting new companies into government job programs, and supporting business in underdeveloped areas.
On homelessness, Mobolade’s campaign site does not mention policing, but has a focus on expanding resources and permanent housing options. For addressing homelessness camps, his campaign website says he intends to “Employ additional homeless outreach team officers to address homeless camps.”
For more information, visit: https://www.yemiformayor.com/
by Katie Chase, staff writer
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Kallan Rodebaugh
Kallan Reece Rodebaugh is one of twelve candidates running for Colorado Springs mayor. According to Rodebaugh’s website headlined “Running to Bring Real Change to Colorado Springs,” his campaign is focused on: affordable housing, lowering utilities, “homeless issues” and public transportation improvement.
Rodebaugh works as a professional stand-up comedian, model and other “various jobs in and around Colorado Springs” after moving here from Stillwater, Oklahoma. When asked about his resume in an interview with the Gazette, Rodebaugh insists his untraditional resume works to his advantage: “I feel like it gives me an edge by not being a career politician and that I am not in anyone’s pocket,” he says.
Rodebaugh wants to inspire younger generations to be involved in politics. “I want to show the younger generation how easy it is to be involved in in civil engagement. Voting is one of the easiest things you can do that will have one of the biggest impacts on your community,” Rodebaugh said in an interview with KKTV.
Rodebaugh’s website details the ways he plans to better Colorado Springs, with affordable housing as a main issue. According to his website Rodebaugh plans to: “increase the supply of modestly priced housing by providing incentives and subsidies to developers for construction of apartments and other dwellings, establish rental assistance or rental subsidies programs for low-income households, and work with nonprofit and faith-based organizations to help create shared housing models and co-housing options, and provide grants or loan programs to help first-time home buyers.”
Lowering the cost of utilities is also on Rudabaugh’s agenda. He plans to: “pursue renewable energy sources, provide energy-efficiency incentives, negotiate lower rates with energy suppliers, explore alternative energy initiatives, and increase competition among energy providers,” he says.
To improve Colorado Springs homelessness issue, Rodebaugh proposes to increase awareness of the issue, optimize access to support centers and resources, develop housing assistance programs, create job training and employment opportunities, improve public transportation options, and develop outreach and mentorship programs.
Lastly, Rodebaugh proposes to improve public transportation in the city by expanding the frequency of service, increasing the coverage of public transportation routes, make public transportation more affordable by providing discounted fares to those in financial need, and make public transportation more convenient by integrating new technologies such as mobile payment systems and offering accessible bus stops.
For more information, visit https://kallan4mayor2023.com
by Sa’Mya Hall, staff writer
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Tom Strand
Tom Strand is one of the mayoral candidates running for the Democratic party. Strand is a retired officer in the U.S. Air Force, who worked as the senior lawyer and commandant of the Judge Advocate Group (JAG) School in Montgomery, Ala. Including his time in the military, Strand is credited with being a leader for more than 30 years through several organizations, committees and councils, including the District 11 Citizen’s Bond Review Committee.
According to his bio at ColoradoSprings.gov, Strand currently serves as treasurer for the Colorado International Language School Board, a K-8th grade school focused on language immersion. He also volunteers as a business mentor with the Colorado Springs Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and facilitator for Food for Thought. He also has served as treasurer for the Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC), as a chairman for the Colorado Springs Human Relations Commission and as a member of the Pikes Peak Restorative Council board.
Stand is running on a public safety platform, according to Fox 21 Local News. At his candidacy announcement, he said: “We need about 850 sworn police officers. We lose maybe between six and 10 a month because they are either retiring or just leaving the police department because they just don’t feel the love.”
“We’ve got to work hard to retain the police officers we have. We’ve got to get police officers that are trained from other communities and cities, and we’ve got to make sure that they know we care about them,” he said.
For more information, visit www.strandformayor.org
by Bryce McGraw, staff writer
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John “Tig” Teigen
John Teigen is known for his ties to Benghazi. He has a long list of military accolades, with his most well-known work highlighted in the film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
Teigen has called Colorado Springs home for more than 38 years, dating back to his time at Horace Mann Middle School. During this time in his life he volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, and continued to do so through his formidable years of middle and high School. Upon graduating high school, Teigen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. And he’s dedicated his life to a military career.
Teigen’s values include things like pro-life, anti-corruption, and the creation of a government “by the people, for the people.” He details his motivation on his website: “Over the past three years, we’ve seen many of our basic constitutional rights trampled on under the guise of an emergency and empowered by fear. Our elected officials across the country have weaponized our police against their own communities over the enforcement of unconstitutional mandates,” he says.
He would also like to solve the homelessness and public safety issues around the city. Teigan says that we need to stop making promises on the campaign trail and providing results after the election. He also mentions that the way we govern is top-down, rather than asking the heads of each department that run the day-to-day operations what their opinions are on how to solve the issues.
Teigan has made the promise that all citizens will have a voice in the operations of the city, a practice that has been forgotten for far too long.
For more information, visit: https://tigformayor.com/
by Jon Oden, staff writer
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Wayne Williams
Wayne Williams is a father of four, husband of 36 years, and Colorado Springs resident since 1992. In addition to being a member of Colorado Springs City Council, he has a long history of involvement in government work, including Colorado Secretary of State from 2015 to 2019 and El Paso County Commissioner from 2003 to 2011.
In an interview on Sixty35’s podcast, he said,“I’m running for mayor because I want to continue the progress we’ve made as a city in the last 8 years, I want us to continue to go forward, and I’m excited about the opportunities here in Colorado Springs.”
In that interview, he also spoke about his efforts as Chair of Colorado Springs Utilities to acquire water from the Arkansas Valley to increase supply to the Colorado River, a major source of water for the Colorado Springs Region – “Seventy percent …” Williams says, “… when you count re-use.” He also stated that he has added “at least a thousand” units of affordable housing in each of the 4 years he has been on City Council, and that he would like to continue that trend if he becomes Mayor.
When asked about CSPD and their shortage of at least 70 officers, he agreed that there is a need for expansion as well as maintaining standards. He also stated the need for alternative response teams so the police are not always responding to all situations when not necessary. In a separate interview by KRCC, Williams stated that the number-one challenge the upcoming mayor will face is public safety, which he said the City Council has been working to combat, citing that “we’ve added positions for 62 new police officers, 66 firefighters and funded 3 new fire stations, moved to a continuous police academy and established a public safety fee to make sure new development pays their fair share.”
He is also pro-TABOR, but does not support the Front Range Rail or legalization of recreational cannabis.
For more information, visit https://winwithwayne.org/
by Francesca Blasi, staff writer
