The Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Local 5 has thrown its support behind mayoral candidate Wayne Williams, a significant endorsement from a group of public safety workers esteemed for their dedication and service to the community.
Williams, currently serving as an at-large City Council member and holding prior roles as secretary of state and county commissioner, finds himself competing against a field of twelve contenders.
One notable rival is Sallie Clark, who has historically garnered support from firefighters in her political endeavors, particularly after her efforts to prevent the closure of a Westside fire station in the 1990s.
Curt Crumb, president of Local 5, cites Williams’ executive background in overseeing a major organization—the Secretary of State’s Office—and his demonstrated backing of the Fire Department as key factors behind their endorsement.
Crumb explains that a panel of firefighters conducted interviews with most candidates and subsequently made a recommendation to the membership, who then voted on the endorsement. As part of their endorsement, Local 5 has contributed $1,500 to Williams’ campaign.
Emphasizing the importance of public safety in local governance, Crumb notes the generally positive perception of firefighters by the public, which bolsters the credibility of their endorsements.
So far, Local 5 has refrained from endorsing candidates in the City Council races.
Meanwhile, mayoral hopeful Yemi Mobolade, a businessman with experience in organizations such as the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and the city, has launched a video campaign set to air on television and other platforms. Additionally, his campaign is utilizing text messages, possibly targeting younger demographics who historically have lower voter turnout in city elections compared to older demographics.
Mobolade’s campaign also aims to enhance transparency by facilitating easy access to data tracking the financial contributions pouring into the mayoral race, accessible via a spreadsheet provided on their website.
As the April 4 city election approaches, the City Clerk’s Office will begin mailing out ballots on March 10. In the event that no mayoral candidate secures over 50 percent of the vote, a runoff between the top two candidates will occur on May 16.