John Ensslin is Back

It’s good to read a John Ensslin byline. Back on the Denver news scene, he covered the mayoral debate for Colorado Politics (March 26). The primary questions in the Denver mayor’s race have not changed in months: Can Mayor Hancock’s challengers force a runoff and is growth and its attendant affects the issue that frames people’s choices?

There are some similarities to the 2011 election when Hancock was first elected:

Continuity vs. Change. Hancock, a longtime city council member and president, represented continuity. Chris Romer was for change.

Insider vs. Outsider. Although Romer was an established businessman, he wasn’t considered a city insider. Hancock was.

Liberal vs. More Liberal. Hancock was the liberal candidate. Today, he would be considered center-left.

Growth vs. Less and Different Growth. The election in 2011 was still focused on recovery from the great recession. Eight years later, the costs and excess of Denver’s spectacular growth are the issue.

Read The Buzz: Denver Post: Construction Cranes Everywhere. Mayor’s Race as Referendum on Growth.