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Mayoral election in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2023)
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State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Recalls • How to run for office |
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| 2023 Colorado Springs elections |
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| Election dates |
| Filing deadline: January 23, 2023 |
| General election: April 4, 2023 Runoff election: May 16, 2023 |
| Election stats |
| Offices up: Mayor |
| Total seats up: 1 (click here for other city elections) |
| Election type: Nonpartisan |
| Other municipal elections |
| U.S. municipal elections, 2023 |
Yemi Mobolade defeated Wayne W. Williams in the May 16, 2023, runoff election for mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado. They advanced from a field of twelve candidates in the April 4, 2023, general election. Incumbent John Suthers was term-limited.
As a result of the election, Mobolade became the first Black and first non-Republican candidate elected mayor of Colorado Springs since the city began electing mayors by popular vote in 1979.[1] Mayoral elections in Colorado Springs are officially nonpartisan, but most candidates are affiliated with a political party. At the time of the runoff, Mobolade was an independent, while Williams was affiliated with the Republican Party.[2]
Mobolade, a Nigerian-born businessman and former pastor, served as the city’s Small Business Development administrator and as Vice President of Business Retention and Expansion for the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation.[3][4] Mobolade focused on public safety, housing and water infrastructure, and economic development. In an interview with KKTV, Mobolade said his administration would “address police staffing shortages with increased recruitment, while equipping our officers with the best tools, facilities, and training to fight crime in our community” and “promote responsible growth guided by intelligent principles that strengthen our city’s infrastructure.”[5]
Sallie Clark, who finished third in the April general election, endorsed Mobolade.[6]
Williams served on the city council from 2019 to 2023 and as Colorado’s Secretary of State from 2015 to 2019.[7] Williams campaigned on public safety, economic growth, water issues, and transportation infrastructure. Williams said, “I am dedicated to providing Colorado Springs Police and Firefighters with the personnel, training, tools and resources necessary to keep our neighborhoods, businesses and schools safe.”[8]
Mayor John Suthers, former Mayor Lionel Rivera, and five city councilors endorsed Williams.[9][10]
Mobolade received 29.8% of the vote in the April general election, and Williams received 19.2%. Sallie Clark finished third with 17.8% of the vote. Darryl Glenn, Longinos Gonzalez Jr., Johnathan Tiegen, Andrew Dalby, Tom Strand, Lawrence Martinez, Christopher Mitchell, Kallan Rodebaugh, and Jim Miller also ran.
At the time of the election, Colorado Springs was the second-largest city in Colorado and the 39th-largest city in the U.S. by population.
As of May 2023, the partisan breakdown of the mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities was 62 Democrats, 26 Republicans, three independents, and seven nonpartisans. Two mayors' partisan affiliations were unknown.[11] Based on 2020 population estimates, 76.1% of the population of the top 100 cities lived in cities with Democratic mayors, and 16.2% lived in cities with Republican mayors at the start of 2022.
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan) and Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.
Elections
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Candidates and results
General runoff election
General runoff election for Mayor of Colorado Springs
Yemi Mobolade defeated Wayne W. Williams in the general runoff election for Mayor of Colorado Springs on May 16, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Yemi Mobolade (Nonpartisan) | 57.5 | 71,491 | |
| Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan) | 42.5 | 52,812 | ||
| Total votes: 124,303 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for Mayor of Colorado Springs
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Colorado Springs on April 4, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Yemi Mobolade (Nonpartisan) | 29.8 | 32,429 | |
| ✔ | Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan) | 19.2 | 20,908 | |
| Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan) | 17.8 | 19,384 | ||
| Darryl Glenn (Nonpartisan) | 8.7 | 9,470 | ||
| Longinos Gonzalez Jr. (Nonpartisan) | 7.9 | 8,622 | ||
| Johnathan Tiegen (Nonpartisan) | 5.0 | 5,405 | ||
| Andrew Dalby (Nonpartisan) | 4.4 | 4,825 | ||
| Tom Strand (Nonpartisan) | 2.4 | 2,597 | ||
| Lawrence Martinez (Nonpartisan) | 1.7 | 1,823 | ||
| Christopher Mitchell (Nonpartisan) | 1.1 | 1,248 | ||
| Kallan Rodebaugh (Nonpartisan) | 1.0 | 1,129 | ||
| Jim Miller (Nonpartisan) | 0.9 | 948 | ||
| Total votes: 108,788 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Colorado elections, 2023
April 4, 2023
- City elections in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2023)
- Colorado Springs, Colorado, Issue 1, Extend City Sales and Use Tax (April 2023)
November 7, 2023
- Colorado Proposition HH, Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measure (2023)
- Colorado Proposition II, Tobacco and Nicotine Product Tax Revenue Measure (2023)
- Widefield School District 3, Colorado, elections (2023)
- Colorado Springs School District 11, Colorado, elections (2023)
- Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, Colorado, elections (2023)
- Manitou Springs School District 14, Colorado, elections (2023)
- Academy School District 20, Colorado, elections (2023)
- Falcon School District 49, Colorado, elections (2023)
- Harrison School District Two, Colorado, elections (2023)
- Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ballot Issue 2A, Police Department Measure (November 2023)
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Sallie Clark is a candidate for mayor of Colorado Springs and is the only candidate for mayor with experience at all levels of government-local, state and national. Sallie Clark served as the State Director of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development for Colorado. In her role as the executive State Director, she was responsible for seven offices throughout the state, administering over 45 grant and loan programs Previous to her position at USDA, she was elected to serve as an El Paso County Commissioner and represented District 3 and was elected by the Board of Commissioners to serve as Board Chair and Vice Chair. She was elected as President of NACo, and was the first Coloradan to have been elected as NACo president. Sallie served as a Colorado Springs City Councilmember and Utilities Board Member prior to her election to the El Paso County Board of Commissioners. Sallie Clark became a military wife in 1980 when she married Welling Clark, an officer in the United States Navy. Sallie Clark is a small-business entrepreneur. "
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Colorado Springs in 2023.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "As a 30-year resident of Colorado Springs, I’ve seen our great city go through many changes. My wife, Holly, and I raised our four amazing children here, and I’ve worked to serve our community. My mission as mayor will be to ensure that through community collaboration, Colorado Springs continues the progress we’ve made over the last eight years and that we remain the very best city to live, work and raise our families. As the only candidate with elected executive experience, I have a proven track record of accomplishment and leadership at both the local and state level – tackling problems effectively and efficiently with customer service that was “invariably helpful and cheerful.” I serve on Colorado Springs City Council and Chair Colorado Springs Utilities. Previously, I served as Colorado Secretary of State, County Clerk and Recorder and County Commissioner. I was named “Leader of Democracy” by League of Women Voters and “Regional Leader of the Year” by Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC because of the work I’ve done. I have a demonstrated ability to work across the aisle, empower and retain employees, and possess the even temperament and integrity necessary to be a highly effective mayor for our great city. "
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Mayor of Colorado Springs in 2023.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Homelessness Solutions- We need a mayor with the courage and compassion to clear our streets and trails. To do what it takes. Sallie will be tough, compassionate and innovative.
Businesses and Jobs - Jobs and Workforce Development, Keeping Utility Costs in Check, Affordable Housing Initiatives, Reduce Burdensome Business Regulations. As a military wife, Sallie knows first-hand, the importance of Supporting Our Military Installations to Maintain and Create a Strong and Resilient Economy.
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
We must ensure that Colorado Springs has the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of our growing city.
I am committed to preserving a low tax burden for our citizens while delivering economic growth to our city.
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
We worked with community groups to renew the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (with 79.4% of the vote) and to pass measures funding public safety, parks, road maintenance and fire mitigation. We also worked closely with neighborhood groups in adopting our new zoning code and rules for ADUs and short-term rentals.
As a member of City Council, I helped create the Law Enforcement Transparency Advisory Commission (LETAC) to bring diverse views together on police use of force and related issues. We successfully implemented LETAC’s recommendation for funding Alternate Response Teams.
As mayor, I will continue to lead a city government that works with our residents, stakeholders, agencies, organizations and businesses to accomplish a shared vision and goals.
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
I’ve also fought to acquire new water sources, signing an agreement with Bent County for 15,000 acre feet (enough for 100,000 people) and establishing a new annexation policy guaranteeing a 128% buffer so that we always have enough water for our existing residents. We’ve also emphasized water conservation, and today we use the same amount of water we did 20 years ago, despite significant growth. Together, these actions show we are growing responsibly and sustainably.
As mayor, I will continue to fight to ensure we have adequate transportation systems, utilities, fire and police stations, and that we provide the other services needed for a growing city.
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
Since joining the city council, we’ve added positions for 62 new police officers, 66 firefighters and funded 3 new fire stations, moved to a continuous police academy and established a public safety fee to make sure new development pays their fair share. As mayor, I will ensure our public safety needs are prioritized.
Like most major cities, Colorado Springs has struggled to fill our available police positions, but we are making progress. We have moved to a continuous year-round police academy and are reducing the waiting time before a new class starts. As mayor, I will make sure that we’re competitive in the recruitment process, but we will always ensure our high standards are met. I will always ensure that our police, firefighters and other first responders know how much we appreciate them and respect their service.
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
As Chair of the Colorado Springs Housing Authority, I oversaw the restoration of Lowell School, which triggered the revitalization of southeast downtown area.
As a member of City Council, I’ve played an active role in the revitalization of our urban core, including the approval of Weidner Field and the Robson Arena. I’ve also supported the Collectives’ efforts to refurbish the City Auditorium.
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
As Chairman of the Colorado Springs Utilities Board, I’ve been actively working on making necessary upgrades to our power grid to ensure that it is reliable, clean and safe from attack. I successfully led the closure of the 97-year-old coal-fueled Drake Power Plant and replaced it with more economical and cleaner power generation.
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Sallie Clark (Nonpartisan)
Wayne W. Williams (Nonpartisan)
El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal Former Mayor Lionel Rivera Former Sheriff Bill Elder Treasurer Chuck Broerman
Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Local 5
Mayoral partisanship
Twenty-nine of the 100 largest cities held mayoral elections in 2023. Once mayors elected in 2023 assumed office, Democrats held 63 top-100 mayoral offices, Republicans held 26, Libertarians held one, independents held four, and nonpartisan mayors held four. Two mayors' partisan affiliations were unknown.
The following top 100 cities saw a change in mayoral partisan affiliation in 2023:
- Colorado Springs, Colorado: Independent Yemi Mobolade defeated Republican Wayne W. Williams in the May 16 runoff election. Incumbent John Suthers, a Republican, was term-limited.
- Jacksonville, Florida: Democrat Donna Deegan defeated Republican Daniel Davis in the May 16 runoff election. Incumbent Lenny Curry, a Republican, was term-limited.
- Dallas, Texas: Mayor Eric Johnson announced on September 22 that he was changing his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican.[12]
- Wichita, Kansas: Libertarian Lily Wu defeated incumbent Democratic mayor Brandon Whipple in the November 7 general election.
- Spokane, Washington: Democrat Lisa Brown defeated incumbent Republican mayor Nadine Woodward in the November 7 general election.
See also
| Colorado Springs, Colorado | Colorado | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Gazette, "Yemi Mobolade makes Colorado Springs history, becoming city's first elected Black mayor," May 17, 2023
- ↑ Associated Press, "Independent candidate becomes first elected Black mayor of Colorado Springs," May 17, 2023
- ↑ Yemi for Mayor, "Yemi's Leadership Resume," accessed May 24, 2023
- ↑ Yemi for Mayor, "Meet Yemi," accessed May 24, 2024
- ↑ KKTV "In-depth interview with City of Colorado Springs mayoral candidate Yemi Mobolade," March 3, 2023
- ↑ KRCC, "Yemi Mobolade gets Sallie Clark’s endorsement in Colorado Springs mayoral runoff race," April 27, 2023
- ↑ Wayne Williams for Colorado Springs, "Experience Matters: The Williams Record," accessed May 23, 2023
- ↑ Wayne Williams for Colorado Springs, "Issues," accessed May 23, 2023
- ↑ Wayne Williams for Colorado Springs, "Endorsements," accessed May 24, 2023
- ↑ KRCC, "Yemi Mobolade gets Sallie Clark’s endorsement in Colorado Springs mayoral runoff race," April 27, 2023
- ↑ In most of the nation's largest cities, mayoral elections are officially nonpartisan, though many officeholders and candidates are affiliated with political parties. Ballotpedia uses one or more of the following sources to identify each officeholder's partisan affiliation: (1) direct communication from the officeholder, (2) current or previous candidacy for partisan office, or (3) identification of partisan affiliation by multiple media outlets.
- ↑ Wall Street Journal, "America’s Cities Need Republicans, and I’m Becoming One," September 22, 2023
- ↑ Springs Gov, "Your Leadership," accessed October 22, 2014
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