March 23, 2011 10:36 PM UTC

Debbie Stafford Will Run for Aurora Mayor

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• by: Colorado Pols

First reported by The Colorado Statesman:

A Republican-turned-Democrat is preparing to announce her candidacy against a Democrat-turned-Republican for mayor of Aurora, The Colorado Statesman has learned.

Former state Rep. Debbie Stafford – who finished her legislative career as a Democrat after being elected four times as a Republican from House District 40 – is planning a run against former City Councilman and former state Rep. Steve Hogan, one of two announced candidates in the nonpartisan November election for the open seat…

…Stafford’s entry into the race will mean Democrats have candidates up and down the ticket in the November Aurora election. While the election is nonpartisan – party affiliation isn’t listed on the ballot, and candidates win slots via petition, not by party nomination – some of Stafford’s backers said the candidacy of conservative Republican and Tea Party favorite Jude Sandvall could make it harder for Hogan to count on a win in a city that tends to elect Republicans.

Aurora is one of Colorado’s five largest cities, so there is a lot of political upside to being elected Mayor. Outgoing Mayor Ed Tauer has long been mentioned as a potential candidate for higher office numerous times. Aurora City Council member and former CD-7 Republican candidate Ryan Frazier has been rumored to be looking at running for Mayor, though the likely strong candidacy of Steve Hogan may keep Frazier at bay.