The field of 13 candidates vying for Aurora’s mayor and open city council seats on Nov. 7 includes several incumbents and current councilmembers, as well as several new candidates.

There are three candidates for mayor, four candidates for two at-large councilmember positions, and two candidates each for council seats in Wards IV, V and VI.

The Denver Gazette asked each about their occupation, education and what makes them the best candidates for their prospective positions.

Here are the candidates:

Michael Coffman

Office: Mayor

Age: 68

Occupation: Current mayor of Aurora

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science University of Colorado, Boulder, 1979; completed the Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University

Campaign website: www.mayormikecoffman.com

Campaign contact: mikeforauroramayor@gmail.com

Why should people vote for you?

During the last four years, I’ve shown leadership in working to bring down the crime rate by supporting a fully staffed, trained, and equipped police department. Last year, I reached out to the mayors of Denver and Colorado Springs to see what issues we could agree on, as the mayors from the three largest cities, to take to the legislature and to the governor to reduce crime in our cities and across Colorado. Most of our agenda passed the legislature and was signed into law by the governor. I’ve also developed and passed proposals surrounding homelessness and housing affordability.

Juan Marcano

Office: Mayor

Age: 37

Occupation: Councilmember, Ward IV

Campaign website: marcanoforaurora.com

Campaign contact: juan@marcanoforaurora.com, 720-634-6927

Campaign manager email: brittney@marcanoforaurora.com

Education: Attended ITT Technical Institute, 2005-2007

Why should people vote for you?

The mayor’s primary responsibility is constituent services, and I’ve been the most responsive and accessible council member the city has had since it began tracking constituent service requests. I will continue this as mayor. The mayor’s most unique duty is to run our regular meetings, and I have a strong grasp on parliamentary procedure that will ensure our meetings are run efficiently. Finally, it is the mayor’s duty to bring the council together and set a vision for the future of the city. I will focus on areas of agreement to build consensus and deliver results for our community.

Jeffrey Sanford

Office: Mayor

Age: 58

Occupation: Civil servant

Campaign website: jeffsanfordforauroramayor.org

Campaign contact: jeffsanford38@gmail.com 

Education: George Washington High School, Denver, 1984; Bachelor of Applied Science in Technical Management, American Military University, 2021; attended Masters of Arts in Public Administration, Non-Profit, University of Colorado Denver, 2021 (withdrew due to COVID hospitalization)

Why should people vote for you?

My 24 years of military service in not only combat deployments but numerous humanitarian deployments. I also have 13 years working within the civil service, drafting policy and managing enterprise level multi-billion dollar budgets. A change in leadership is necessary to move forward with decorum and adapt to the current issues facing the residents of Aurora, not the ever growing city bureaucracy with partisan battles.

Jonathan Gray

Office: Ward IV councilmember

Age: 40

Occupation: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, Finance Division

Campaign website: gray4aurora.com

Campaign contact: grayforaurora@gmail.com

Education: High school diploma Englewood High School; Bachelor in Business Administration, Metro State University Denver, 2012; Master’s in Public Administration, University of Colorado Denver, 2022

Why should people vote for you?

At the age of 15, my first job was at Craig Hospital in Englewood as a dishwasher and later as a prep cook. I know what it means to work hard, and I will always put the people first. I recently received my Master’s degree in Public Administration from CU Denver, and I have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be exceptional in this role. I have worked with youth and families in our most vulnerable communities for decades. I am a natural-born leader, and I care about my community. I know I don’t have all the answers, but I will turn to the residents of Aurora and figure things out with them rather than in a silo.

Stephanie Hancock

Office: Ward IV councilmember

Age: 65

Occupation: Semi-retired

Campaign website: stephanie4aurora.com

Campaign contact: 720-767-0386, stephanie@stephanie4aurora.com

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications, minor in theater, Texas Southern University 1981 – 1986

Why should people vote for you?

I have lived in Ward IV for the past 25 years. I’m a wife, mother, veteran, and a past small business owner. My children attended Ward IV schools. I have been active in the arts and culture community for the past 15 years owning a theater company and working as president of the Aurora Cultural Arts District. I bring a lifetime of practical working experience to the city council. I have a deep vested interest in seeing this community continue to be safe and affordable for generations to come.

Angela Lawson

Office: Ward V councilmember

Age: Not provided

Occupation: Former employee, Colorado Secretary of State’s Office

Campaign website: lawsonforaurora.com

Campaign email and phone number: 720-870-1948

Education: Master of Arts in Political Science, University of California at Berkeley; Master of Arts in Social Science, University of Colorado Denver; Master of Arts in Public Administration, University of Colorado at Denver; Master of Arts in Public Policy at Georgetown University

Why should people vote for you?

My eight years of service and leadership on the city council and 14 years in state government have provided me with knowledge and a deep understanding of the issues that face the city of Aurora and its residents now and in the future. In the eight years of being an at-large council member, I’ve gained knowledge of the city’s infrastructure and service budgeting processes and priorities as it relates to the needs of our communities. With the opportunity to serve as a Ward V council member, I could represent the interests and concerns of the constituents while collaboratively making decisions that benefit the entire city.

Chris Rhodes

Office: Ward V councilmember

Age: 41

Occupation: Substitute teaching until the election is over

Campaign website: rhodes4aurora.com

Campaign contact: rhodes4aurora@gmail.com, 303-257-4150

Education: Bachelor in Education (Social Studies), Purdue University, 2008

Why should people vote for you?

People should vote for me because all my time in Aurora has been spent fighting for a better Aurora for all. I gave up $40-$50,000 in income by taking a pay cut to fight for union rights alongside poverty wage workers at United Airlines Catering for four years. After that, I spent a couple years listening to the concerns of Aurorans and organizing people to push their elected reps to respond to their concerns.

Francoise Bergan

Office: Ward VI councilmember

Age: Not provided

Occupation: Retired from management and sales career in staffing industry

Campaign website: francoiseforaurora.com

Campaign contact: francoise@francoiseforaurora.com, 720-465-1830

Education: Attended University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1977-1980; Certificate of Completion, Interior Décor, The Art Institute of Colorado, 2003

Why should people vote for you?

I have a proven record of advocacy for Ward VI, as well as a list of accomplishments over my prior two terms. I have built relationships with city management, staff, legislators, and constituents to help me navigate the workings of city government. Having served on most of the city’s policy committees, I’ve amassed a wealth of institutional knowledge to better serve the community, local organizations, and businesses.

Brian Matise

Office: Ward VI councilmember

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired (former physicist, high school science and math teacher, and most recently commercial litigation attorney)

Campaign website: matise4aurora.com

Campaign contact: brian@matise4aurora.com, 720-515-8436

Education: Bachelor of Science in Physics, University of Redlands, 1980; Secondary Science and Mathematics Teaching Certificate, New Mexico State University, 1992; Juris Doctor, University of New Mexico School of Law, 1998

Why should people vote for you?

I have broad professional experience as a physicist, public high school science teacher, and attorney. Resident of Aurora for over 20 years and Ward VI for 18 years. Served on Tollgate Crossing Metro District Board since 2006, during which time my ideas turned a debt-ridden district unable to pay its bills into a financially secure district, while cutting taxes and eliminating fees. I proposed and implemented license plate readers and security patrols to reduce crime. Served on Aurora Citizens Budget Committee, 2018-2021. I understand neighborhood issues, budgeting, and have demonstrated success developing and implementing effective new ideas.

Alison Coombs

Office: At-large councilmember

Age: 39

Occupation: Case manager for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities;  current Ward V councilmember

Campaign website: coombsforaurora.com

Campaign contact: alison@coombsforaurora.com, 720-505-3332

Education: ABD in Philosophy Binghamton University (SUNY), 2016; Master of Arts in Applied Ethics and Political Philosophy Binghamton University (SUNY), 2013; BA in Philosophy and Spanish Metropolitan State University Denver, 2011

Why should people vote for you?

In my four years on council, I have developed broad knowledge of the city’s policy and operations, and have built relationships with key stakeholders in our community. I have also learned to collaborate with my colleagues when possible and stand my ground when necessary. I am committed to working with our county, state, and federal partners-and most importantly our community to ensure that every person in our city has dignified housing, dignified wages, and the ability to be safe in our city.

Curtis Gardner

Office: At-large councilmember

Age: 38

Occupation: Public Sector Solutions Manager for WM; Aurora Pro Tem Mayor and At-Large councilmember

Campaign website: curtisforaurora.com

Campaign contact: curtis@curtisforaurora.com, 720-505-4312

Education: Bachelor in Business Admin-Public & Non-Profit Specialization, Colorado State University Global; Masters in Finance-Accounting Specialization, Colorado State University Global

Why should people vote for you?

I have lived most of my life in Aurora, have lived or worked in all six wards and attended both Aurora and Cherry Creek schools, so I understand both the opportunities we have and the challenges we face. And as dad to three daughters – all born in Aurora – I want to ensure Aurora is a city where everyone can thrive. I have always looked for ways to serve my community, both in my career and in volunteer opportunities. When I was elected four years ago, I told voters I would be their advocate at City Hall and I’ve done that.

Thomas Mayes

Office: At-large councilmember

Age: 70

Occupation: Senior Pastor of Living Water Christian Center Church, Vietnam Veteran

Campaign website: mayesforaurora.com

Campaign contact: thomas@mayesforaurora.com

Education: Degrees in Business Administration, Theology and PhD in Urban Ministry

Why should people vote for you?

I am a Colorado native, Vietnam Veteran, husband, father and grandfather. I am a senior pastor at Living Water Christian Center Church and President of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance. As a member and community liaison for Aurora Key Community Response Team & Aurora Police Victims Witness Advisory Board, I heard directly from the community about challenges they are facing from gun violence to lack of economic opportunity and access to affordable housing. I serve on the Police Incident Review Board and Consent Decree. In 1990, I founded E.S.C.A.P.E. (Everyone Sharing Child Abuse Prevention Education).

Jono Scott

Age: 41

Occupation: Pastor

Campaign website: jonoscott.com

Campaign contact: jono@jonoscott.com, 720-727-7987

Education: Bachelor of Arts (Bible and Theology), Northland International University, 2004; Masters’ Degree (Religious Education), Liberty University, 2021

Why should people vote for you?

As a husband and father of four, I am heavily invested in the quality of life of my community and city. I have worked hard to gain knowledge and experience in helping both. These qualifications include directing the local food bank (partner agent with Foodbank of the Rockies), being a member of the City of Aurora’s Budget Advisory Committee for the last six years (voted as an executive officer the last five years – including chair), volunteer coaching dozens of soccer teams for the youth of our community and investing in people’s lives through being a Pastor here since 2004.