Elections in Aurora could reshape its city council’s ideological makeup. Although Aurora’s municipal elections are non-partisan, in the fast-growing Denver suburb, partisan politics have increasingly played a role in city elections.
Republicans currently hold a slim majority on the city council, but with five seats up in November, city policy could change dramatically depending on the outcome of the election.
Voters will pick two at-large council members. Currently, six people have filed for the at-large seats, including the two Republican incumbents. The top two will win the seats.
Incumbents:
Danielle Jurinsky
Jurinsky has not responded to CTR’s request for an interview or her plans for a second term, but she has made a name for herself amongst MAGA Republicans for elevating exaggerated claims of Venezuelan gang activity that thrust Aurora into a national spotlight during the 2024 election.
Aurora’s police chief debunked the claims Jurinsky pushed of gangs taking over apartment complexes, and Jurinsky herself later walked back her claims, but now President Trump ran with a story to push anti-immigration talking points.
Jurisnky has gained a reputation for going on public and private tirades against her colleagues, with the Aurora Sentinel publishing profane threats she made against her fellow city council members.
According to Jurinsky’s website, her top priorities are jobs and the economy, public safety, and lowering taxes.
Amsalu Kassaw
Kassaw was appointed to fill the vacant council seat left after former At-Large Council Member Dustin Zvonek resigned last December. The council selected Kassaw in a 6-4 vote, becoming the first Ethiopian immigrant to sit on the Aurora City Council.
Kassaw came to the U.S. as a refugee from Ethiopia 17 years ago, fearing arrest by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a paramilitary group that was part of the African country’s ruling coalition at the time.
The 42-year-old worked for the GEO Group, a private contractor that runs the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Aurora. Kassaw is a registered Republican.
Kassaw told CTR that his top priority is public safety.
“The challenge we have [in Aurora] is still crime, and I strongly believe we need to be tough on crime otherwise criminals will be feeling that it is okay to be doing criminal activities here in Aurora. So, I will address this issue as a priority.” Kassaw told CTR. “Right now, many in our community feel fear and uncertainty. As an elected official, one of my top priorities will be making sure our neighborhoods are safe, secure, and supported because everyone deserves to live without fear.”
Kassaw says he is also running so he can be a voice to bring together and represent one of the most diverse communities in the United States.
“Aurora is home to one of the largest immigration populations in the country,” Kassaw says. “We come from many different places, but we share one home. I want to be a voice that brings us together and represents us all.”
Rob Andrews
Andrews, a Colorado Native, announced his campaign for an at-large seat back in February, focusing primarily on housing affordability, economic advancement, and public safety.
Andrews’ has a long history of nonprofit leadership and public service, serving on the Colorado Workforce Development Board, Denver County Workforce Development Board, and the Colorado Judicial Performance Commission. Andrews is currently the president of CommunityWorks, a nonprofit that offers job prep and support services for people entering the workforce.
“I am uniquely qualified for this position [city council]. I’ve worked in the nonprofit and private sectors, I’ve worked for the county, and I’ve worked for the state. … I’ve worked in the political arena prior to that, in the state house,” Andrews told CTR. “Those four sectors all intertwine, and you’ve got to understand how to deal with each of them differently. You have to make sure that you’re able to get along and work with each other.”
In terms of public safety, Andrews says Aurora needs to look at consider expanding restorative justice programs, ensuring trauma-informed training for first responders, and following the tenets of community policing.
Andrews also wants the city council to support more small businesses with access to microloans and other resources.
Andrews ran for mayor back in 2023 but dropped out of the race two months before the election so as not to split the vote with fellow Democrat, Juan Marcano. This time, Andrews says he’s committed to seeing the election all the way through.
Andrews is hosting a campaign kickoff on April 13 at the Stanley Marketplace.
Aaron Futrell
Futrell is a 47-year-old clerk at the U.S. Postal Service and the grandson of former Aurora City Councilwoman Edna Mosley.
Futrell says that his grandmother’s legacy inspired him to pursue public service and go back to college in 2012. Over his time at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, he was elected to student government and organized events to raise awareness of interpersonal violence.
Futrell served on Aurora’s Human Relations Committee and, most recently, served on the RTD Citizens Advisory Board.
Futrell, a registered Democrat, says his top priorities are balancing the city budget, public safety, and supporting small businesses in the city.
“I’m running for City Council because it has become chaotic and we need a calm voice representing everybody, not just one part of the Aurora community,” Futrell told CTR.
“My priorities would be to focus on government transparency and allowing my constituents’ voices to be heard, not just listened to, police reforms working to make sure the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) exam accurately reflects our changing society, and economic sustainability supporting small businesses in a fiscally responsible way.”
Alli Jackson
Jackson, a Democrat, is a social worker who was born and raised in Aurora and announced her bid for an at-large seat in March on what she calls a “community first” platform.
In a press release announcing her candidacy, Jackson said that she is the daughter of a Black veteran and a Russian immigrant who grew up attending Aurora Public Schools. A social worker, Jackson says she has “dedicated her career to fighting for families and youth”.
Jackson has served on Aurora’s Charter Review Board and participated in civic leadership training.
“Aurora changed my family’s life, and I’m running to protect that legacy and build a brighter future for our city,” said Jackson. “I’ve seen new development bring opportunity, but I’ve also watched too many neighbors struggle to afford living here. We need leadership that puts people first, listens to our community, and ensures that Aurora remains a place where families, workers, and small businesses can thrive.”
According to Jackson, her top priorities are economic growth for all, family support, community wellness, and uplifting youth.
Jackson advocates for expanding small business grants, creating job pipelines from school to high-paying careers, and “fighting price gouging that drives up the cost of living”.
In terms of supporting families, Jackson says she wants to ensure families have access to mental health and social services, expand after-school and recreational programs, and advocate for affordable healthcare.
Jackson wants relationships between social services and the city to be strengthened and an increase in funding for affordable housing.
Jackson also says that engaging young people in politics is of particular importance to her and that she wants every person to know that their voice matters.
“Above all, I believe politics doesn’t have to be rigid and exclusive,” Jackson told CTR. “Let’s build a city where civic engagement is energizing, accessible, and even fun. Because when people feel like they belong, they are empowered to dream big and shape their future.”
Jorge Hernandez
Hernandez recently filed to run for an at-large seat but has not responded to CTR’s inquiry or put up a website yet. This will be updated when more information becomes available.
Three other city council seats are up for re-election and we’ll have coverage of who is running in those as well.
