Aurora in the New York Times

Aurora made the New York Times last week in a story that highlighted its new economic ambition and good luck capturing a congressional seat.

Reporter Kirk Johnson interviewed newly elected Mayor Steve Hogan and recorded some great quotations on the city’s struggle for an identity. 

“Aurora is a place to stop for gas on your way to somewhere else.”

“Someday we’re going to be bigger than Denver. We have the land, we have the water, we have the opportunities.”

The new congressional district will get considerable coverage in the 2012 election due to its reconfiguration as a swing district. And, Arapahoe County will likely be a battleground as President Obama attempts to carry the state.

“Arapahoe County, stretching east from here out onto the prairie, was, like most Denver suburbs, long safely Republican. But the county supported President Obama in 2008 and then went for a Democrat again in 2010 in the governor’s race, in embracing Denver’s mayor — now governor — John W. Hickenlooper. Whether two elections make for pattern or aberration is the new calculus.

‘To the extent we have visitors back East wanting to know what’s going on in Colorado politics, I will be sending them to Aurora and Arapahoe,’ said Floyd Ciruli, a political analyst and pollster.

Mr. Ciruli said he thought the new Sixth Congressional District centered on Aurora would probably be competitive for a Democrat, but that in contrast to Colorado’s largest city, Denver (strongly Democratic) and second-largest, Colorado Springs, (strongly Republican), Aurora in third place is quirky and unpredictable.”

See NY Times article:  Trying to shine in the shadow of a neighbor