Aurora’s councilmembers on Monday night picked a leader of the Ethiopian community for the council’s at-large seat.

The council split, 6-4, in appointing Amsalu Kassaw to the seat. The discussion at times delved into issues of race.

Kassaw is the public relations director of the Ethiopian American Civic Council. He is also a lieutenant at GEO Group Inc.’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Aurora, according to his application for the seat. Mayor Mike Coffman has worked with Kassaw when he served on his congressional advisory committee.

Councilmember Stephanie Hancock moved to appoint Kassaw to the at-large position vacated by Dustin Zvonek, the city’s previous mayor pro tem. Zvonek announced his departure from the council in October.

“We have the opportunity here to do something unprecedented,” Hancock said. “We have the opportunity to set a new paradigm here by having a man who has demonstrated leadership not only here in this country but in his former home country of Ethiopia, and he came here and did everything right.”

Hancock said his appointment would send a “clear message” that “Aurora is not a racist city, but an opportunity city that opens its arms to everyone.”

“Adding Amsalu to this body will add integrity, strength and power for our community,” Hancock added.

Councilmember Steve Sundberg said Ethiopians are a “tremendous group of people who love this city” and added that Kassaw brings a unique perspective to the council.

Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky said the Ethiopian community has welcomed her “with open arms.”

Jurinsky pointed to Nebiyu Asfaw, who leads the East Colfax Community Collective and who spoke at Monday night’s meeting in favor of Kassaw’s appointment to the council.

She said they may not agree politically, but she supports Kassaw.

“I not only accept him, I support him fully and publicly,” Jurinsky said.

Councilmembers Francoise Bergan, Alison Coombs, Curtis Gardner and Crystal Murillo voted “no.” 

Gardner shot back at some of his colleagues, calling some of their comments “thinly veiled racism.”

“There’s a lot to unpack here,” Gardner said. “The thinly veiled racism of ‘I’ve met a lot of these people’ and acting like they’re all the same and if you don’t support an immigrant, you’re racist … it’s really ironic coming from my colleagues that have tried to undo DEI policies are now supporting someone because of the color of their skin.”

Bergan called for the question, ending the debate and forcing a vote.

After Kassaw was appointed, Bergan said she did not vote against Kassaw but for another candidate — Danielle Lammon. Bergan said Lammon “actually has the experience” to jump into the position.

The third candidate for the position was Jonathan McMillan, the director of Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention Program Office at the Trailhead Institute.

Bergan has a “deep appreciation” for the immigrant community, saying she was born in France, but that she does “not vote on the color of anyone’s skin.”

“I vote on who I think is the most experienced and best qualified person,” she said. “It had nothing to do with voting on identity politics.”

In his application, Kassaw said he wants to join the council because he has “come to believe that public service is essential for the city to serve the people that you love and will help you understand the issues so you can solve their concerns wisely.” 

Also Monday night, councilmember Gardner withdrew his name from the candidates for mayor pro tem after Gardner and Sundberg tied for votes in an earlier meeting. 

Gardner did not say why he withdrew his name. His decision left Sundberg the sole candidate for mayor pro tem.