May 31, 2011 11:28 PM UTC

Unions at Play in District One

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• by: Colorado Pols

We were a bit surprised at City Council District 1 candidate Ken Padilla‘s strong showing in the first round of the election, but not too surprised. After all, Padilla had heavy support from AFSCME that really made the difference in such a crowded race.

It’s not as though Padilla’s opponent, Susan Shepard, isn’t without her own union backing. We’ve heard from reliable sources that she was expecting the AFSCME endorsement until Ken jumped into the race. She didn’t get that endorsement, obviously, but she did score one from the Firefighters Local 858 earlier in the year. She’s also following up the Firefighters with backing from the Denver Police Protective Association and the Fraternal Order of Police Sheriffs #27. From a press release we received from the Shepard campaign:

Firefighters and Police Say Shepherd is the Public Safety Candidate in District 1

Denver, CO – Denver City Council District 1 candidate Susan Shepherd is proud to accept the endorsements of the Denver Firefighters Local 858, Denver Police Protective Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police Sheriffs Lodge 27.  Susan will work to keep officers on the streets and to make sure that our firefighters continue to have the resources they need to protect our citizens.

“As a strong advocate for public safety, Susan Shepherd will ensure that the safety of the citizens and the Firefighters will never be jeopardized by closing fire stations or eliminating fire trucks. She will also make sure that our minimum staffing needs are met on a daily basis throughout the city,” says Derrick Delgado, Denver Firefighter, and Resident of City Council District 1.

“Susan is the best choice for Northwest Denver’s public safety.  She has demonstrated that she will listen to the citizens and work with the department to get the community the necessary resources to maintain essential services,” says Nick Rogers, President of Denver Police Protective Association.

“Our public safety officials are crucial to keeping our residents safe.  I am honored to have the endorsement of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day make this a great place to live and raise a family.  I look forward to working with them to make Denver even safer,” says Susan Shepherd.

Susan Shepherd is in a run-off election for Denver City Council District 1 on June 7th.

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Shepard is smart to paint herself as the “public safety” candidate. Voters react well to those they’ll think will protect their property and lives, and this kind of endorsement counters Ken’s AFSCME support from an image perspective. Of course, who knows if Shepard will get any much needed field help. That’s what she needs to win, and we’re close enough to election day that a candidate’s image isn’t as relevant as their ability to share it with voters as ballots are filled out.