Five candidates are now in the running for two soon-to-be vacant at-large Aurora City Council seats, including both incumbents, Danielle Jurinsky and Amsalu Kassaw.

Alli Jackson, a social worker and lifelong Aurora resident, recently announced her campaign for an at-large seat on what she called “a community first” platform.

Jackson is the daughter of a Black veteran and a Russian immigrant who grew up attending Aurora Public Schools, she said in a news release about her campaign. She has dedicated her career to “fighting for families and youth.”

“Aurora changed my family’s life, and I’m running to protect that legacy and build a brighter future for our city,” Jackson said. “We need leadership that puts people first, listens to our community, and ensures that Aurora remains a place where families, workers, and small businesses can thrive.”

Jackson’s top priorities are economic growth for all, family support and community wellness, she said in a news release. 

Economic growth includes expanding small business grants, creating job pipelines from school to high-paying careers and “fighting price gouging,” she said. 

Families need to have access to mental health and social services, she said, and she wants to advocate for affordable childcare and expanding after-school programming.

She also wants to strengthen relationships between social services and the city, increase funding for affordable housing and protect Aurora’s natural spaces, she said.

Also new to the candidate pool for the at-large council seats is Aaron Futrell, a lead clerk for the U.S. Postal Service.

Futrell told The Denver Gazette that his priorities on the council would be police reform, infrastructure improvements, government transparency and economic development. 

Making sure the community has a voice in how the Aurora Police Department operates is important, Futrell said. 

He also wants to improve accessibility for people with visible and non-visible disabilities and make sure their “voices and concerns are heard and addressed,” he said. 

On economic development, Futrell said, the city’s growth needs to be fiscally responsible while being supportive of small business and attracting national brands “so we can all be proud of the city we call home.”

Jackson and Futrell are vying for one of two at-large seats in what is quickly becoming a packed race. 

Current at-large Councilmembers Danielle Jurinsky and Amsalu Kassaw have both announced campaigns for re-election and One Voice Coalition Founder Rob Andrews has also recently joined the race.

Amy Wiles announced her candidacy for Ward II, saying she is “committed to making Aurora a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Wiles has been on the Community Advisory Committee for the Aurora Police Department consent decree and spent seven years on the Human Relations Commission. 

Her top priorities as a councilmember would be infrastructure improvements, dealing with a “lack of police presence,” adding grocery stores and better roads to eastern Aurora and bolstering youth support, she said in a news release.

Wiles said she’s focused on changing “the negative and incorrect national perception of our city” and wants to highlight the accomplishments of Ward II while helping to build up eastern Aurora.

“While I am not a politician, I am a concerned community member who believes I cannot complain unless I actively work to correct the issues we have in our city,” Wiles said. “This decision comes from a deep commitment to serving our community and a belief that together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.”

Wiles is running for Ward II against incumbent Steve Sundberg and Gayla Charrier, a former correctional officer and government security professional for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and United Launch Alliance.

Council seats in Wards I and II will also be on November’s ballot.

Currently, Crystal Murillo holds the Ward I seat. She has not replied to The Denver Gazette’s inquiry into her future on the council.

Five candidates have filed campaign documents to run for Murillo’s seat, including Pastor Reid Hettich, product development manager and former Denver City Planner Stephen Elkins, Christopher Belila, State of Colorado Coordinator Gianina Horton and Leandra Steed.

Berzins is running for the Ward III council seat, which is currently held by Ruben Medina.