March 16, 2011 01:41 AM UTC

Hancock, Linkhart Wave Goodbye to Mayoral Hopes

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• by: Colorado Pols

(Originally posted at Denver Pols)

We’re having a hard time trying to think of a more baffling decision by a politician running for higher office in recent years. Last night, Denver City Council members Michael Hancock and Doug Linkhart voted for a pay increase for City Council members while they are in the midst of running campaigns for Denver Mayor.

Yes, you read that correctly. Two candidates who are running for Mayor in a city faced with a $100 million budget deficit voted to increase salaries for City Council members by 6.6 percent. Currently, City Council members earn $78,173 per year, with an additional $30,000 in benefits. The attack ads write themselves, if they are even necessary at this point.

Linkhart tried to explain his vote by saying that he has always favored a pay raise and that he wasn’t going to change his mind just because this is an election year. His position would be mildly admirable if it wasn’t so mind-bogglingly stupid politically. Linkhart was already a longshot to be elected Mayor, but there’s no way he gets elected now.

But the biggest whiff from last night’s vote came from Hancock, who voted in favor of the pay increase despite his statements during a Feb. 28 city council meeting that the increase should not be approved.

Apparently Hancock no longer wants to be Mayor. It’s bad enough to vote for a pay increase when you’re running for Mayor and the city is $100 million in debt. It’s Titanic-esque to cast that vote after you’ve already been on record opposing the idea.

Among candidates running for Mayor, only Carol Boigon had the good sense to oppose the pay increase.