Former State Senator Mike Johnston is joining the race for Denver mayor, outlining specific plans to deal with homelessness and improve public safety.
Johnston worked as a school teacher and principal prior to serving in the State Senate from 2009 to 2017. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018 and U.S. Senate in 2020. Most recently, Johnston has led Gary Community Investments, which focuses on non-profit and private sector methods of helping low-income children and families.
“I’ve spent my career shoulder to shoulder with people who feel like their voices are not heard in City Hall,” Johnston said. “I’m very proud of the fact that there’s a real diverse coalition of people around the city who would say they feel like I’ve been their voice in a very effective way.”
Johnston, who announced his decision on Next with Kyle Clark on Wednesday ahead of filing official paperwork Thursday, will be the 17th declared candidate in a crowded race. Assuming no candidate receives a plurality of the vote in the April 4 election, two candidates will meet in a runoff.