Since city elections back in 2021, conservatives have dominated Aurora’s city council and are currently campaigning to expand their majority.
Two of these candidates, like Councilmembers Danielle Jurinsky and Steve Sundberg were first elected in 2021. Both owners of local bars, Jurinsky and Sundberg ran alongside a similarly conservative slate of candidates and notably refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The connection to far-right was more obvious back in 2021, Jurinsky and Sundberg ran with candidates who worked for right-wing organizations like Americans for Prosperity and former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, who ran a presidential campaign with the promise to bomb Mecca.
Jurinsky herself has garnered national attention for elevating misleading claims of a “gang takeover” during the 2024 presidential election. Jurinsky went to conservative media claiming that there was a “complete gang takeover in parts of a city”.
City officials, including former acting police chief for Aurora, Heather Morris, disputed the claims after investigating claims of rampant gang activity at an apartment complex. Morris said in a video that there was “definitely a different picture” than the one Jurinsky had put forth.
“I’m not saying that there’s not gang members that… live in this community,” Morris said. “But what we’re learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.”
Jurinsky has elevated fears over gang takeovers of multiple apartment complexes in Aurora, despite being contradicted by city officials. In a public safety committee meeting last August, Jurinsky said Sundberg and fellow council member Stephanie Hancock believed that there was a “huge gang problem” and that “our opinions are not up for debate” regarding the city refuting allegations of a gang takeover.
Jurinsky was fairly transparent that her focus on alleged gang activity was linked to that year’s presidential election. In a July 29, 2025 Facebook post, Jurinsky wrote, “The media won’t make a big deal about it and will try to downplay it. Some of my own colleagues would probably tell you there is nothing to see here…”
In the same post, she continued, “This is in the United States of America, this is in YOUR city. Please, please spread the word. This November’s election may, in fact, be the most important of your lives, your children’s lives, and your grandchildren’s lives. Again you deserve the truth!”
Jurinsky would go on to speak at Donald Trump’s rally in Aurora, where she would repeat claims of a gang takeover.
Jurinsky has been criticized for sending abusive and threatening text messages to her colleagues. In a string of messages uncovered by the Aurora Sentinel, Jurinsky went on a tirade targeting her fellow conservatives Dustin Zvonek, Steven Sandberg, Stephanie Hancock and Francoise Bergan.
Recently, Jurinsky challenged local activist MiDian Shofner to a physical fight. Shofner is part of the group of community members who have clashed with city council over the response to the high profile police killing of Kilyn Lewis.
For his part, Sundberg sits as Mayor Pro Tem of Aurora In 2022, Sundberg came under scrutiny for a series of videos playing various roles of ethnic minorities. The videos, made before he took office on the council in 2021, were made to promote Sundberg’s business.
Neither Jurinsky nor Sundberg has responded to CTR’s request for an interview.
Amsalu Kassaw, who represents an at-large seat, was appointed to the council after his predecessor, Dustin Zvonek, resigned. Kassaw initially came to the U.S. as a refugee from Ethiopia 17 years ago and has worked for the GEO group, a private contractor that runs the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Aurora. The ICE facility in Aurora has been protested by immigrant rights activists, and detainees have reported dehumanizing treatment and civil rights violations.
Other candidates in the slate are former city council member Marsha Berzins. Rather than running for re-election in 2021, Berzins opted to run unsuccessfully for Arapahoe County Treasurer. Previously, Berzins represented Aurora’s Ward III from 2009 to 2021. Berzins did not respond to a request for an interview.
Stephen Elkins is an unaffiliated voter running in Ward I, which includes the Edge at Lowry, the apartment complex that conservatives have claimed was taken over by gangs.
“For some, the Edge at Lowry was simply part of their news scrolling as it made national and international news,” Elkins said in a February press release. “But for Ward I residents… violent crime and its horrific impacts were part of their daily lives for far too long. It is clear that Ward I deserves better representation at the Council.”
Elkins confirmed in an email that he was running with the general candidate slate alongside Jurinsky, Sundberg, Berzins, and Kassaw.
The candidates held a meet and greet at Jurisnky’s bar, JJ’s Restaurant, on June 25.
As it currently stands, the conservative slate has dominated fundraising. In the first fundraising period, Jurinsky alone raised $180,118, with $10,350 of that coming from Westside Investment Partners, a real estate development firm. Each of these city council candidates has received contributions from their fellow city councilors and other conservative candidates.
