Wikipedia

Mike Johnston (Colorado politician)

Michael Christopher Johnston (born November 17, 1974) is an American educator and politician serving as the 46th and current mayor of Denver, Colorado. A member of the Democratic Party, he won the 2023 Denver mayoral election, defeating Kelly Brough in the June 6 runoff election.[1]

Mike Johnston
46th Mayor of Denver
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 17, 2023
Preceded byMichael Hancock
Member of the Colorado Senate
from the 33rd district
In office
May 29, 2009 – January 11, 2017
Preceded byPeter Groff
Succeeded byAngela Williams
Personal details
Born (1974-11-17) November 17, 1974 (age 50)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Courtney Johnston
​
(m. 2004)​
Children3
EducationYale University (BA, JD)
Harvard University (MEd)
WebsiteGovernment website

Johnston first entered politics when he served in the Colorado Senate, representing the 33rd district from 2009 to 2017. He was a candidate for governor of Colorado in 2018, losing in the primary to Jared Polis, who went on to win the general election. He was also a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2020,[2][3][4] before withdrawing from the race in September 2019.[5]

Early life and education

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One of four children, Johnston was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Vail, Colorado,[6] the son of Sarah "Sally" (née Cox) and Paul Ross Johnston.[7][failed verification] His father was a U.S. Army veteran and businessman who served on the town council for more than a decade and then as mayor from 1983 to 1987.[8]

After graduating from Vail Mountain School in 1993, Johnston attended Yale College, earning his bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1997.[6][7] During high school and college, he was involved in community service activities, including volunteering at a Denver homeless shelter and mentoring youth in a New Haven housing project.[6] After graduating from college, he taught English at Greenville High School in rural Mississippi for two years as part of the Teach For America program. Based on this experience, he wrote the book In the Deep Heart's Core.

After his program ended, Johnston enrolled in the Harvard Graduate School of Education, earning a master's degree in education policy. While at Harvard, he worked with Al Gore's education advisor, Jon Schnur. With Schnur and others, he helped to found New Leaders for New Schools, an organization dedicated to training and recruiting leaders for urban schools.[6] Upon earning his master's degree, he enrolled in Yale Law School, and became an education policy advisor to political candidates, including U.S. Senate candidate Tom Strickland in 2002.[6]

Professional career

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After returning to Colorado in 2003, he was hired as principal at Joan Farley Academy.[9] In 2004, he served as principal of the Marvin Foote Detention Center, which houses students in detention centers held in state custody, and organized the first high school graduation in the center's history. In 2005, Johnston taught education law at the University of Denver Law School and became the founding principal of Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts (MESA), a public school in Thornton, Colorado.[10] As the school's principal, he helped to develop the school's curriculum and program as the school district shifted to developing smaller schools.[6][11]

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Johnston helped lead an education summit in New Orleans and worked with U.S. Congressman George Miller on legislation to recruit and retain teachers.[6] He joined Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign as an informal advisor early in 2007;[7] by May 2008, he was regarded as one of the campaign's key advisors on education issues.[11][12] Obama delivered a major address on education from MESA in May 2008. The school's achievements were highlighted in an October 2008 campaign advertisement.[13]

Johnston has served on the boards of local and national education and service organizations, including the I Have A Dream Foundation, the Urban League, City Year, New Leaders, America Achieves, and America Succeeds. In 2010, he was featured in Forbes magazine's "7 Most Powerful Educators"[14] and Time magazine's "40 Under 40".[15]

Johnston served as the chief executive officer of Gary Community Ventures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the nonprofit organization delivered almost two million test kits and helped coordinate thousands of vaccinations across Colorado.[16]

Early political career

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Colorado Senate

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Johnston in 2009
 
Johnston (right) watches as Governor John Hickenlooper signs HB-1262 in 2011

Elections

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In April 2009, Johnston declared his candidacy for Colorado's 33rd Senate district, a historically African-American legislative seat based in northeastern Denver,[10][17] after incumbent Peter Groff announced his resignation upon accepting an appointment in the Obama administration's Department of Education.[13] Johnston cited education as the central motivation for his run, including the failure of a bill during the 2008 session granting in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.[10] During his campaign for the legislative appointment, he met personally with almost all members of the vacancy committee.[18]

At the May 11 vacancy committee meeting, Johnston received 64 out of 126 votes in the first round of balloting to win the appointment, defeating former state representative Rosemary Marshall, Democratic National Committee member Anthony Graves, and activist Renee Blanchard.[13] He was sworn into office on May 29, 2009.[3] He was later elected in 2010 to complete the rest of Groff's term and was then re-elected in 2012, each time winning more than 82% of the vote. Due to term limits, this would be his last term in the state Senate.[19]

Tenure

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While serving in the Senate, Johnston was assigned to the education and finance committees.[9] He supported SB 10–191, legislation that modified teacher and principal accountability by measuring performance in part by student academic growth.[20] The bill was signed into law by Governor Bill Ritter in May 2010.[21] Senate bill 191 was poorly received among teachers. Denver Post guest columnist and teacher Brian Kurz espoused the need to repeal the law as it was an unfunded burden on school districts.[22] Efforts to repeal the law were unsuccessful and it remains in effect to this day.

Johnston worked on passing the READ Act, which was signed into law in May 2012. The law provides districts resources to help K-3 students struggling to read by establishing a process for districts to identify K-3 students who read below grade level and work with their parents to provide extra reading support before students reach the fourth grade.[23] The bill also created the Early Literacy Grant Program to provide funding to districts for literacy assessments, professional development, instructional support, and appropriate interventions, and would distribute approximately $16 million to districts for use in one of three literacy support programs: full day kindergarten, tutoring services, or summer school.[24]

Johnston was a co-sponsor of the ASSET bill, which allows students not legally entitled to be in the United States to pay in-state tuition at Colorado colleges and universities if they attend a Colorado high school for three years and graduate or earn a GED. Under previous law, students not legally entitled to be in the United States, who had graduated from Colorado high schools and had benefited from the state's investment in K-12 education were forced to pay out-of-state tuition. After languishing in the legislature for almost a decade, the bill passed and was signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper in April 2013.[25] "We come here today to close a chapter in American history, and to open a new one," Johnston remarked. "For me personally, there's no more significant bill that I've worked on that's going to make an actual impact on human beings."[26][27]

Statewide campaigns

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Shortly after leaving the state senate, Johnston ran for governor of Colorado in 2018 to succeed John Hickenlooper, who was term-limited.[28] Congressman Jared Polis won the Democratic primary election with former state treasurer Cary Kennedy finishing in second place and Johnston in a close third place.[29] After the primary, he endorsed Polis as the Democratic nominee.[30] Polis would go on to defeat Republican Walker Stapleton in the general election.[31]

In January 2019, Johnston entered the 2020 U.S. Senate election for the seat held by Republican Cory Gardner.[32] Johnston withdrew his candidacy in September 2019, a few weeks after former governor John Hickenlooper entered the race.[5] Despite good fundraising numbers early in his campaign, Johnston cited the need for Democrats to avoid negative campaigning in the primary election as more important.[33] Hickenlooper later won the Democratic nomination and defeated Gardner in the general election.

Mayor of Denver

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2023 election

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Main article: 2023 Denver mayoral election
 
Johnston meets with Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Johnston successfully ran for mayor of Denver in 2023, succeeding Michael Hancock, who was term-limited.[1] A nonpartisan blanket primary was held on April 4, where he finished in first place and former Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO Kelly Brough finished in second place. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote, they faced each other in a June 6 runoff election, where Johnston won by a comfortable margin. Brough conceded the race later that night.[34] His campaign was endorsed by The Denver Post and many progressive figures in the runoff, while Brough's support came from more conservative groups.[35][36][37]

Tenure

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Johnston was sworn into office on July 17, 2023, along with new members of the city council and other municipal leaders.[38] The next day, Johnston declared a state of emergency relating to homelessness in Denver. He said that his administration will seek to find housing for 1,000 unsheltered individuals by the end of 2023 and that he will tour 78 local neighborhoods and explore options for the placement of tiny houses.[39]

The city of Denver has a strong mayor system of government. The mayor of Denver can veto things City Council passes with control over the management of the city. The Denver mayor appoints over 700 positions on more than 130 boards and commissions.[40]

Johnston announced Give 5 Mile High during the 2024 State of the City Address. It is a volunteer initiative led by his wife Courtney Johnston. They urge volunteers in the city of Denver to commit to at least five hours of community service a month. They also hold a community service event on the third Saturday of every month. Courtney Johnston was inspired by a trip to Rwanda in 2022, where they learned about mandated once-a-month community service. This program aims to connect the people of Denver to their communities and networks of service.[41][42]

In July 2024, the Denver police department began the Trust Patrol program. Johnston established this plan to reduce crime in the city of Denver. The Trust Patrol program functions by bringing police officers to areas where the public gathers so they can interact without a law enforcement function. This was established to connect the police force with the community.[43]

Johnston created the Denver Asylum Seekers Program in response to Denver's influx of over 43,000 migrants in 2024. The program offering legal support, English classes, and job training to help integrate and contribute to the local economy.[44][45]

The launch of Johnston's Vibrant Denver plan, aimed to transform downtown into a "Central Neighborhood District" with mixed-use housing, vibrant public spaces, and thriving businesses. The redevelopment of the 16th Street Mall was a key part of this effort to reinvigorate the city's urban core.[46][47]

Political priorities

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Johnston has been described as both a moderate liberal and a progressive.[48][49] In his 2024 agenda, Johnston discussed homelessness and affordable housing, violent gun crime, addiction and mental health and revitalizing neighborhoods throughout Denver.[50]  While a member of the Colorado Senate, Johnston sponsored bills regarding education, the environment, and housing, among other topics.[51]

Affordable Housing

In 2024, Johnston proposed Ballot Issue 2R, a measure that would have raised the city's sales tax by 0.5% in order to allocate the money to support affordable housing. It was rejected by a 50.99% majority that voted against it.[52]

Climate Action

Denver's climate action plan is to eliminate Denver's greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and Johnston has agreed with this initiative. He appointed Elizabeth Babcock to be the executive director of Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency in fall of 2023.[53] In his 2025 budget proposal, Johnston allotted more money for climate initiatives.[54]

Education

While in the Colorado Senate, Johnston cast a vote for Senate Bill 10–191, which was enacted in 2010. Senate Bill 10-191 changed the way that teachers are evaluated in Colorado to based on their students' performance.[55] He also supported the READ Act, which requires annual literary evaluations of children in grades K-3 in Colorado.[56]

Personal life

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Johnston lives in Central Park, Denver with his wife Courtney and their three children: Seamus, Emmet, and Ava.[9] Courtney is a deputy district attorney who heads the juvenile unit of the Denver District Attorney's Office.[57]

He speaks fluent Spanish.[58]

Electoral history

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2012 Colorado Senate election, District 33[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Johnston (incumbent) 51,357 82.3
Republican Jason DeBerry 8,456 13.6
Libertarian Courtney Kolva 2,579 4.1
Total votes 62,392 100
Democratic hold
2018 Colorado gubernatorial Democratic primary[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jared Polis 282,725 44.46
Democratic Cary Kennedy 157,098 24.71
Democratic Mike Johnston 149,717 23.55
Democratic Donna Lynne 46,316 7.28
Total votes 635,856 100.0
2023 Denver mayoral election[60][61]
Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan blanket primary
Mike Johnston 42,273 24.45
Kelly Brough 34,627 20.03
Lisa Calderón 31,493 18.21
Andy Rougeot 19,927 11.52
Leslie Herod 18,506 10.70
Chris Hansen 8,309 4.81
Debbie Ortega 7,739 4.48
Ean Tafoya 2,700 1.56
Terrance Roberts 1,757 1.02
Thomas Wolf 1,747 1.01
Trinidad Rodriguez 1,240 0.72
Aurelio Martinez 755 0.44
Al Gardner 725 0.42
James Walsh 722 0.42
Renate Behrens 184 0.11
Robert Treta 169 0.10
Write-in 45 0.03
Total votes 172,918 100.00
Runoff election
Mike Johnston 89,644 55.15
Kelly Brough 72,906 44.85
Total votes 162,550 100.00

Publications

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  • Johnston, Michael (2002). In the Deep Heart's Core. Foreword by Robert Coles. New York, NY: Grove Press. ISBN 978-0802117212.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Rubino, Joe (November 16, 2022). "Mike Johnston running for Denver mayor in 2023 as field balloons". The Denver Post. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Senate Journal - January 13, 2010" (PDF). Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "2 new Colorado state senators take oath of office". Denver Post.
  4. ^ Nam, Rafael (January 31, 2019). "Gardner gets latest Democratic challenge from former state senator". TheHill. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Democrat Mike Johnston Drops Out Of U.S. Senate Race". September 3, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Centers, Jessica (August 26, 2008). "Barack Obama gives principal Michael Johnston extra credit". Westword. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c "Denver Principal Among Obama's Top Education Advisers". coloradoindependent.com. May 15, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  8. ^ Wyrick, Randy (April 8, 2015). "Paul Johnston obituary". Vail Daily. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Mike Johnston's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "Obama education advisor Johnston joins race for Groff's Senate seat". coloradoindependent.com. April 22, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Terrell, Matt (October 29, 2008). "Vail native changing education on the campaign trail". The Vail Daily. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  12. ^ Hawkins-Simons, Dana (May 8, 2008). "Whom the Candidates Listen to on Education". Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c "Vacancy group picks Obama education advisor Johnston to replace Groff". coloradoindependent.com. May 12, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  14. ^ Guggenheim, Davis (November 22, 2010). "My Picks: Educators". Forbes.
  15. ^ "40 Under 40". Time. October 14, 2010. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010.
  16. ^ Watney, Chris (November 17, 2022). "Gary Community Ventures shares leadership transition". Gary Community Ventures. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "State Senate District 33". COMaps. Archived from the original on March 4, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
  18. ^ Simons, Janet (May 15, 2009). "Johnston channels Obama in SD 33". The Colorado Statesman. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  19. ^ "Colorado State Senate elections, 2012 - Ballotpedia". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  20. ^ Engdahl, Todd (May 12, 2010). "Final Senate vote endorses SB 10-191". Chalkbeat. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  21. ^ Poppen, Julie (May 21, 2013). "Colorado districts gear up for new teacher eval rules" (PDF). EdNewsColorado. Retrieved May 22, 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  22. ^ http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_15906072
  23. ^ Herrick, John (June 23, 2018). "Mike Johnston Is Trying to Build Bridges in a Bridge-Burning Time". Westword. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  24. ^ "Colorado READ Act". Colorado Department of Education. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  25. ^ Cotton, Anthony (April 29, 2013). "Colorado governor signs bill for illegal immigrants' in-state tuition". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  26. ^ Moreno, Ivan (January 15, 2013). "Illegal immigrants urge lower Colo tuition rate". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  27. ^ Stokols, Eli (February 25, 2013). "In-state tuition measure clears Senate, heads to the House". KDVR. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  28. ^ Nicholas Riccardi (January 16, 2017). "Mike Johnston to announce run for Colorado governor in 2018". Associated Press. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  29. ^ a b "CO-Election Night Reporting". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  30. ^ Mike Johnston. "Jared Polis is an entrepreneur for good. He has earned my respect and support. With tonight's results, I hope you will join me in being the first to sign up and make calls for him. Let's stand together and fight for full day K, 100% renewables, and other critical common ground". Twitter.
  31. ^ "Jared Polis announces transition team stocked with big-name Democrats". The Colorado Sun. November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  32. ^ Nam, Rafael (January 31, 2019). "Gardner gets latest Democratic challenge from former state senator". TheHill. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  33. ^ Paul, Jesse (September 3, 2019). "Democrat Mike Johnston ends his U.S. Senate bid, says he didn't want to run negative campaign". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  34. ^ Powell, Erin (June 6, 2023). "Johnston claims victory, Brough concedes in runoff for Denver mayor". 9News. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  35. ^ "Endorsement: Mike Johnston for Denver mayor". The Denver Post. March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  36. ^ Alvarez, Alayna (April 5, 2023). "Progressive voters are major X factor in Denver mayor's race". Axios. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  37. ^ Luning, Ernest (June 2, 2023). "Q&A: Political experts size up Denver mayoral runoff between Mike Johnston, Kelly Brough". Colorado Politics. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  38. ^ Boyd, Shaun (July 17, 2023). "Mike Johnston sworn in as Denver's 46th mayor, shares his "dream" for Mile High City". CBS Colorado. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  39. ^ Wenzler, Elliott (July 18, 2023). "Denver's new mayor declares state of emergency on homelessness, sets goal of housing 1,000 unsheltered people by end of 2023". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  40. ^ "What does Denver's mayor do and how much power does the position have?". Denverite. December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  41. ^ "Give5 Mile High". Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  42. ^ "Denver's official do-gooder push has begun". Denverite. August 19, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  43. ^ "Denver police launch 'trust patrols' to help prevent crime". Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). July 27, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  44. ^ "Newcomer and Migrant Support". www.denvergov.org. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  45. ^ "Denver's asylum seeker program to change in 2025 as number of new arrivals drops". Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). September 19, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  46. ^ McRae, Jennifer (May 9, 2024). "Mayor believes "Vibrant Denver" plan can revitalize downtown - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  47. ^ "Here's Mayor Mike Johnston's plan to make Downtown Denver the most vibrant city center in the country". Denverite. May 9, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  48. ^ "Mike Johnston on the Issues". On the Issues.
  49. ^ Roberts, Michael (January 25, 2017). "Meet Mike Johnston, Fast-Rising Political Star Running for Colorado Governor". Westword. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  50. ^ Alvarez, Alayna (February 26, 2024). "What's on Mayor Mike Johnston's 2024 to-do list". Axios. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  51. ^ "Michael Johnston | Page 4 | Colorado General Assembly". leg.colorado.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  52. ^ "Denver voters reject largest dedicated sales tax increase to support affordable housing". Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). November 9, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  53. ^ "Mayor Johnston appoints long-time sustainability staffer to head city climate office". Denverite. October 3, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  54. ^ "Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unveils tight 2025 budget proposal". Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). September 13, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  55. ^ Press, The Associated (May 18, 2010). "Colorado Teacher-Evaluation Bill Enacted". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  56. ^ Ujifusa, Andrew (January 31, 2019). "Ex-Obama Adviser Who Championed Teacher Evaluations to Seek Senate Seat". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  57. ^ "Denver DA Beth McCann creates juvenile unit" (PDF). Denver District Attorney's Office. February 28, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  58. ^ "Mike Johnston". New Leaders. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  59. ^ "2012 Abstract of Votes Cast" (PDF). Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  60. ^ "Election Summary Report" (PDF). City and County of Denver. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  61. ^ "Election Summary Report" (PDF). City and County of Denver. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
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Colorado Senate
Preceded by Member of the Colorado Senate
from the 33rd district
2009–2017 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Denver
2023–present 		Incumbent
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