Over the past decade, it’s clear to see that Denver has come a long way. However, there’s also sufficient evidence that it still has further to go. This is why no mistake must be made when it comes to selecting who will take the reins of the city for the next few years.

The mayoral election held on April 4, 2022, revealed that two candidates of the seventeen on the ballot will be progressing to the runoffs. #Mike Johnston scaled through that election with 24.45% of the votes while #Kelly Brough did the same with 20.04% of the votes.

The runoff election is slated to be held on the 6th of June 2023. So, Denverites have only a little time to make up their minds on who would make a better mayor for their beloved city.

The two candidates are sterling individuals with impeccable character – they probably wouldn’t have made it this far otherwise. But, when push comes to shove, only one person can be mayor. And, at this time, #Johnston appears to be by far the better of the two available options.

Johnston is a 48-year-old father of three who has a very clear vision of what Denver could be. Having served as a school principal, a senior education advisor, and a state senator, Johnston has had the privilege to see Denver from a perspective that few ever will.

Fully aware yet willing to take on the challenges that are sure to come with rebuilding the city, he had this to say in a recent interview, “I believe that one of the biggest obstacles Denver faces is believing our current problems are unfixable. I deeply believe that we can make Denver America’s best city. In 20 years, my vision for Denver is to be the best city to raise a child, start a business, train for a job, and experience diverse art, culture, and food. Denver can also be the first big city in America where no one sleeps on the street at night, where teachers and nurses can still afford to live in the city they serve, and where you can eat on a patio while your kids run around the 16th Street Mall without worrying for their safety.”

That creative mind and can-do attitude are two things that any leader serious about improving the standard of living in the city has to have. These attributes are essential because of the unique nature of the issues that plague the city.

For example, there’s the homelessness situation that has seen an unprecedented spike in recent years. When you’re dealing with a city that has more than 6,000 people and counting on the streets without shelter, you have to be creative and innovative with your solutions.

Fully acknowledging how serious the situation is, the father of three had this to say. “We know the current policy of sweeping is not working… I would solve this problem by building 10-20 micro-communities that would include permanent supportive housing for 1,400 individuals. Then we can move communities of encampments together to safe, stable, dignified housing where they can get the addiction, mental health, and workforce services they need. Once we meet that obligation to make sure everyone has a place to sleep, we must also ensure all Denver residents can enjoy our public spaces, businesses, and sidewalks. Once dignified housing is available people should not need or have the right to sleep outside someone’s home or business.”

On the issue of ensuring public safety, Johnston believes that he has what it takes to make the city safe and secure again. He believes that solving the city’s safety concerns involves four important steps. These are, “…focusing on prevention through early intervention with diversionary courts like mental health, drug, and gun courts; putting 200 additional first responders on the streets, including mental health workers to support those in crisis and beat cops walking the streets; converting two pods of the jail into mental health and addiction units that can provide services people badly need; after providing permanent supportive housing for those who are homeless, enforcing the law on those who are committing crimes or harassing residents downtown.”

All of this shows clarity of thinking and an ability to identify and implement effective and sustainable solutions to the city’s most pressing issues.

As mayor, Johnston’s leadership is certain to have clear direction and intention – two things that have been severely lacking in previous leaders. With everything happening nationally and even locally, it’s quite clear that there’s marginal room for error.

As a centrist candidate with a well-defined agenda for the city, it’s certain that stability and progress will come to Denver fast and seamlessly with him as mayor.

The issues that plague the city aren’t likely to go away on their own, that much we all know. What’s more, with a less-than-capable person at the helm of affairs, things can get far worse.

Johnston presents a front that every well-meaning Denverite can comfortably get behind. He’s the mayor the city needs. Incremental or dramatic, good things are sure to come with Johnston at the top!