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Donkey Season

Denver District Attorney and House District 8 Races Heat Up

Staff report

For the GPHN

It’s 2024 — another pivotal presidential election year. But closer to home, the June 25 Democratic primary election will be the likely decider in two important races.

After serving two terms, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced her decision to retire this year rather than run for a third term. And Leslie Herod, who currently represents District 8 (which includes Park Hill) in the Colorado House of Representatives, is term limited from that office.

Numerous Democrats are vying to replace McCann and Herod. Since Denver is a liberal stronghold, whoever wins the June primary is likely also the winner come November. In fact, so far no Republican has entered either race.

Denver District Attorney candidates Leora Joseph, Lisi Owen and John Walsh. The winner will succeed Beth McCann, who is retiring.

In the DA’s race, Leora Joseph, currently the director of the state’s Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, has raised the most campaign cash so far — $201,867 as of Jan. 16. (Joseph’s website is leorafordistrictattorney.com)

Former civil rights attorney Lisi Owen, who grew up in Park Hill, is also running. As of Jan. 16, her campaign has $17,596 in contributions, plus $14,799 in loans. (Owen’s website is owenforthepeople.com)

Since joining the race late last year, John Walsh, the former U.S. Attorney for Colorado, has raised $183,564. He has secured endorsements from numerous high-profile politicos, including former Denver DA and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, as well as McCann.

Since his Nov. 2 announcement, two other candidates — Zach McCabe and Matt James — have dropped their bids and thrown their support behind Walsh. Walsh lives in Park Hill, as does current DA McCann. (Walsh’s website is WalshforDenver.com)

Colorado House District 8 candidates, from left: Kwon Atlas, Victor Bencomo, Lindsay Gilchrist and Sharron Pettiford. The winner will succeed term-limited Rep. Leslie Herod.

Four Democrats are vying to replace Herod in the Colorado Legislature. They include:

• Kwon Atlas, who previously worked as a senior advisor on community-based initiatives under former Mayor Michael B. Hancock and most recently an unsuccessful candidate for the city council. As of Jan. 16 Atlas had raised $1,270 in contributions. His endorsements include former Mayor Hancock, along with former Denver Parks and Recreation Director Happy Haynes, former House Speaker Terrance Carroll and CU Regent Wanda James. Atlas lives in Five Points. (KwonAtlas.com)

• Victor Bencomo, a Navy veteran who served as president of the Giffords Gun Owners for Safety Colorado chapter. As of Jan. 16 Bencomo has raised $26,261 and secured endorsements from state Sen. Tom Sullivan, as well as state Reps. Judy Amabile, David Ortiz and Lindsey Daugherty. Bencomo is a resident of Central Park. (VictorBencomo.com)

• Lindsay Gilchrist is a Denver native with a long career working in public policy, including in the office of former U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy. As of Jan. 16, Gilchrist has raised $66,748 — by far the most of any candidate. She has secured endorsements from District Attorney Beth McCann (who previously represented District 8 in the Legislature), as well as state Sen. Chris Hansen, former Colorado First Lady Dottie Lamm and former Lt. Gov. Gail Shoettler. Gilchrist lives in Park Hill. (GilchristforColorado.com)

• Sharron Pettiford, a social caseworker, labor organizer and political activist. As of Jan. 16, Pettiford has raised $3,785 in contributions. Her endorsements include state Sen. Janice Marchman, state Rep. Junie Joseph, Rev. Timothy Tyler of Shorter AME Church and Kevin Marchman, the president of the Northeast Park Hill Coalition.
Pettiford lives in Park Hill.
(Sharronforco.com)

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