Did State Rep. Leslie Herod sell her endorsement in the Denver mayoral race in exchange for the promise of an important position in the next administration?
That sure sounds like the accusation leveled by this an eye-popping Denver Post report.
State Rep. Leslie Herod sought a promise that she would have an important job in Kelly Brough’s mayoral administration when the two were discussing the possibility of Herod endorsing Brough in the runoff race for Denver mayor, according to Brough and a third person involved in the discussion.
“She wanted a guarantee of a position and one of importance,” Brough said.
So did Mike Johnston make such a promise to the fifth-place finisher in the race in exchange for her endorsement on April 24?
His campaign spokesperson said no promise was made, and Herod told the Post no such agreement is in place with Johnston.
The fact that @MikeJohnstonCO would accept the endorsement of Heroin Leslie shows he is unfit to be Mayor.
He talks about safety but accepts the endorsement of the women that led the way to decriminalize heroin and meth leading to record crime and homelessness.
— Gale Deixler (@Galeanddane) May 26, 2023
Herod does seem to recall asking Brough for a commitment to seat women of color at the table of her administration, but selflessly asked nothing for herself personally, she claims.
After numerous discussions, Herod says she withheld her support for Brough because “our values don’t align” on homeless issues.
And yet, Herod probably should have figured that out before holding three, count them three discussions about lending her endorsement to Brough.
According to the Post:
One person who was involved in discussions between Brough and Herod said Herod made it clear she chose to support Johnston in the runoff in part because Johnston was willing to make promises about roles that Brough was not.
Maybe it was a bluff, or a blowoff, or it didn’t happen at all.
But just days before the story broke, Johnston made a point of saying “I have been very deliberate on not promising jobs to anybody …”
And at Tuesday’s debate, Johnston said his diverse leadership team will include “making sure women of color are heavily represented in those moments.”
It’s up to voters who is telling the truth.