Copyright Boulder Daily Camera
Who’s pulling the strings in Boulder council races? Boulder voters deserve transparency about who supports our City Council candidates and what those endorsements imply about their priorities. In 2021, Councilmembers Lauren Folkerts and Nicole Speer were endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA); Speer again in her 2023 mayoral run. While Speer now distances herself from the DSA, Folkerts continues to accept their endorsement. Despite shifts in messaging, both have consistently supported many DSA-aligned policies. Folkerts and Speer are also endorsed by the Working Families Party (WFP), a national organization promoting anti-capitalist policies. In 2023, WFP-affiliated groups spent heavily in Boulder elections — including ads labeling mayoral candidate Bob Yates an “insurrectionist.” That reckless and dishonest smear may well have cost him the election. Such tactics divert attention from real issues and undercut civility in local politics. The platforms of the DSA and WFP call for defunding police, closing jails, and pursuing aggressively anti-business and anti-Israel measures. Some Boulder residents may support these ideas, but many find them deeply troubling and worry about impacts on public safety, small businesses and community cohesion. This election gives Boulder a chance to decide: continue down a path shaped by national advocacy groups or shift to a more locally-grounded approach. Candidates like Mark Wallach, Jenny Robins and Rob Kaplan offer pragmatic leadership focused on affordability, safety and transparent governance. Their backing comes from Boulder residents and local businesses — not national machines pushing rhetoric and division. Let’s demand leadership that reflects Boulder’s priorities rather than outside agendas and ideologies. Terri Brncic, Boulder Remember Kent State and learn from the past We are watching and reading daily news about the National Guard being ordered into cities that have not requested them to “quell horrible violence” that the cities and statistics dispute. I strongly suggest reading this excellent article, “The May 4 Shootings at Kent State University: The Search for Historical Accuracy” by Jerry M. Lewis and Thomas R. Hensley. Living in Cincinnati at the time, I will never forget the scenes on television as this tragedy occurred. The subject of the protests at the time and the violence they wrought were quite different from what is real today, easily substituting a few contemporary situational words makes it relevant. The article begins: “On May 4, 1970, members of the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of Kent State University demonstrators, killing four and wounding nine Kent State students.” Towards the end of the article, the authors state: “Kent State should be remembered in order that we can learn from the mistakes of the past.” Marsha Caplan, Boulder Stakes are too great to gamble on uninspired leadership With a hostile federal government and a state budget in crisis, it is clear that Boulder must be prepared to go it alone. We need a City Council guided by progressive, disciplined leaders who are ready to make difficult decisions in turbulent times. Lauren Folkerts, our current Mayor Pro Tem, has served on City Council with distinction and deserves reelection. The challenges facing Boulder will define the City for years to come: a deteriorating climate, rising homelessness, skyrocketing costs of living, dwindling funding for human services and housing that is increasingly out of reach for working people. During her tenure, Lauren has led with balance, intention and principle. She helped spearhead Boulder’s minimum wage increase, eliminated discriminatory housing occupancy limits, and expanded access to e-bikes and pedestrian infrastructure. Most importantly, Lauren has listened to her constituents and pursued policies that empower working people to live in Boulder with dignity. I am confident she will continue to do so in her second term. The stakes are too great to gamble on reactionary, uninspired leadership. Boulder needs progressive, ambitious, courageous leadership, and Lauren Folkerts is the right person for the job. Support Lauren Folkerts for Boulder City Council on November 4. Aidan Reed, Boulder
