Early results released by the city clerk s office showed Henjum had garnered 5,302 votes 37.6% of ballots in the most competitive race of the evening and was likely to be elected to represent Colorado Springs’ central sector. It was one of six district races on the ballot that could determine the direction of council for the next four years.
Jill Gaebler, first elected to represent the district in 2013 and re-elected to a second term in 2017, is term-limited and cannot run again. I was believing I would win based on my campaigning, but there were five people running and it was competitive, Henjum said by phone from her home Tuesday night.
Three of four incumbents seeking second terms on the Colorado Springs City Council appeared to be prevailing in the April 6 city election in early results.
That means the newcomers will form a small minority on the nine-member board when they re sworn in later this month. Those newcomers, as of the first report of balloting, are retired Army officer Dave Donelson in northwest District 1, retired Air Force officer Randy Helms in northern District 2, who was defeating incumbent Dave Gieslinger, and leadership consultant Nancy Henjum in central District 5.
While seven of the 21 candidates were younger than 40, none were winning in the early returns. Rather, voters were choosing the older candidates. At 57, Donelson might wind up the youngest member of City Council. (At-large member Wayne Williams is 58.)
Donelson, a former Army Green Beret and retired physician assistant, led by 7,913 votes 48% early results from the city clerks office showed. The other three trailed with Glenn Carlson, a businessman, getting 28% of the early vote; Jim Mason, a retired Army colonel, gaining 15.8% of the vote; and Michael Seeger getting 7% in early returns.
All four are political newcomers who were competing to replace Councilman Don Knight, who was term limited from running again.
The race was one of six district races on the ballot where voters selected a representative from their area.
In District 1, a new apartment complex proposed at the end of Garden of the Gods, growth management, public transportation, parks and public safety were some of the hot topics among candidates.
District 4 incumbent Yolanda Avilla, right, celebrates with her daughter Dulce Garcia Tuesday, April 6, 2021, during a watch party at the Club Tilt & Grill after early results showed Avilla leading Colorado Springs City Council candidate Regina English. Garcia and her family from Hunnington Beach, Calif., surprised Avilla Saturday to spend the weekend and election day with her. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Christian Murdock/The Gazette
Chancey Bush
Chancey Bush
Chancey Bush
Candidates faced competitive races in each of the prospective districts. Tuesday, three new Colorado Springs City Council members and three incumbents won in the six district races during the Tuesday elections, early returns showed. Here s a look at early election results:
District 1
Dave Donelson pulled ahead Tuesday in the four-way Colorado Springs City Council race for District 1 in the city s northwest. Donelson, a former Army Green Beret and retired physician assistant, led by 9,129 votes 48% updated results from the city clerks office showed Wednesday. The other three trailed with Glenn Carlson, a businessman, getting 29% of the vote; Jim Mason, a retired Army colonel, gaining 15.62% of the vote; and Michael Seeger getting 7%.