James Walsh, an associate professor of political science at the University of Colorado Denver is a mayoral candidate. | Facebook/ VISIT DENVER
James Walsh, an associate professor of political science at the University of Colorado Denver is a mayoral candidate. | Facebook/ VISIT DENVER
Denver mayoral candidate James Walsh, an associate professor of political science at the University of Colorado Denver, said he has "always wanted to run for office," which is why he has joined the city's crowded race for mayor.
Walsh told the Denver post on Dec. 30 that entering the packed race "seemed to be the perfect opportunity because it’s an open seat and because of the Fair Elections Fund. Beyond that, I have always felt that Denver Democratic leaders and their politics are progressive in all but labor. They’re not anti-labor but they’re not pro-labor. I want to lead the city in a way where workers are put first," he said.
"Denver workers first is one of our slogans," he explained.
Walsh is one of more than 20 candidates who intend to replace Mayor Michael B. Hancock, who can no longer run again. The Denver Gazette published a list of candidates on Dec. 17, which included Kelly Brough, Lisa Calderón, Alex Cowans, Paul Fiorino, Marcus Giavanni, Sen. Chris Hansen, Rep. Leslie Herod, Mike Johnston, Danny Lopez, Aurelio Martinez, Deborah Ortega, Jesse Lashawn Parris, Terrance Roberts, Trinidad Rodriguez, Andre Rougeot, Ken Simpson, David Stevens, Ean Tafoya, Thomas Wolf, and Walsh.
According to his University of Colorado biography, Walsh joined the faculty at the school in 1998, joining the Political Science department in 2013. His areas of focus include "Labor, Working Class and Immigration History/Politics, as well as U.S. Social Movements, Community Organizing, and Arts-Based Education," the biography stated.
According to the Denver Gazette, Walsh has no political experience beyond academia, though he is a member of the Romero Troupe, untrained actors who perform what Walsh calls "working-class" theater based around political issues.
Walsh told the Denverite that he has a plan to make the city more friendly to workers.
"We’re witnessing a movement in the United States today around workers’ rights that we haven’t seen,” he said. “Workers are reasserting themselves in their workplace. They’re demanding dignity and respect, particularly low-income workers. And I think the city has an obligation to be a part of that movement.”
Walsh also believes the city has the resources to address homelessness by buying up more hotels and turning them into low-cost housing.
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