Johnston, Brough, Headed for Runoff in Denver Mayoral Race

April 7, 2023 by Dan McCue
Johnston, Brough, Headed for Runoff in Denver Mayoral Race
Denver mayoral candidate Mike Johnston autographs yard signs for the children of his supporters before entering an election eve watch party in a hotel late Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in lower downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER — Four days after municipal elections, it appears that two moderate candidates, Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston, will compete in a June runoff election that will determine the city’s next mayor.

As of Friday afternoon, Johnston, a former state senator, was in the lead, having garnered 42,205 votes, or 23.44% of the total, while Kelly Brough, the former head of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, received 34,593 votes, or 20.03% of the vote.

Lisa Calderón, a professor and criminal justice reform advocate, landed in third place with 31,449, but trails Brough by 3,144 votes.

Because no candidate claimed the more than the 50% majority needed to win the race outright, the two candidates will now square off in a runoff scheduled to be held June 6. 

Whoever wins will be the city’s first new mayor in 12 years.

Runoff elections are also expected in four Denver City Council district races.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue

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