Mayoral hopeful Wayne Williams has secured the coveted endorsement of the Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Local 5, a significant backing from a respected group of public safety professionals.
Williams, currently serving as an at-large City Council member and holding prior positions as secretary of state and county commissioner, stands out among a crowded field of twelve candidates.
Notably, among his competitors is Sallie Clark, who has traditionally enjoyed strong 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, highlighted Williams’ executive background in leading large organizations, notably the Secretary of State’s Office, and his consistent backing of the Fire Department as key factors in earning the endorsement.
A committee of firefighters conducted interviews with most of the mayoral candidates and subsequently recommended Williams to the membership, who voted to extend the endorsement. As part of their support, Local 5 will contribute $1,500 to Williams’ campaign.
Crumb emphasized the critical role of public safety in local governance and noted the positive perception firefighters typically enjoy among the public, underscoring the credibility of their endorsements.
While Local 5 has thrown its support behind a mayoral candidate, they have not yet endorsed any contenders in the City Council races.
In another campaign development, mayoral aspirant Yemi Mobolade, a seasoned businessman with experience in organizations like the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and the city, has launched a video campaign set to air on TV and various platforms. Additionally, Mobolade’s campaign is employing text message outreach, potentially targeting younger demographics, historically less active in city elections compared to older age groups. Two years ago, voter turnout among eligible voters aged 18 to 29 was less than 8%, contrasting with the significantly higher participation among those aged 50 and older.
Mobolade’s campaign also aims to enhance transparency by facilitating easy access to information about campaign finances, providing spreadsheet data for public scrutiny.