Denver school board race favors union-backed candidates
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Denver voters stayed the course, electing a union-friendly school board that backs Superintendent Alex Marrero, unofficial election results show.
Why it matters: With a majority of the board seats at stake, the election had the potential to shift the balance of power in the state's largest school district, our education reporting partners at Chalkbeat write.
- The union's preferred candidates have held control of the board for the last six years.
State of play: The four candidates endorsed by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association held early leads at the polls Tuesday.
- At-large candidate Amy Klein Molk sat atop the most-watched race with 56%.
- Incumbent Xóchitl Gaytán in southwest Denver's District 2 reached 58% support.
- Monica Hunter in northeastern District 4 posted a strong showing at 42% in the four-person race.
- Donald "DJ" Torres in central-eastern District 3 took 44%.
What they're saying: "We have already shown with this election cycle that when we come together and raise our voices on behalf of teachers, students, and families, we can elect school boards that will support strong, inclusive, public schools," Colorado Education Association president Kevin Vick said in a statement.
The other side: Four pro-charter school and reform-minded opponents struggled to gain traction despite support from the Denver Families Action political committee and the endorsement of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
- Alex Magaña for the at-large seat, Mariana del Hierro in District 2, Caron Blanke in District 3, and Timiya Jackson in District 4 all lagged behind their rivals, early returns showed.
- Neither of the two incumbents, Scott Esserman in District 3 and Michelle Quattlebaum in District 4, finished near the top.
The intrigue: The union's win comes despite being outspent 2-to-1 by pro-charter school advocates.
- The total spent on the race will exceed $1.6 million.