Shontel Lewis, a Denver city council member and the Democratic Socialists of America's mayoral nominee, told reporter Kyle Clark that a 2008 misdemeanor theft conviction involving food‑stamp benefits actually makes her suited to run the city of nearly 750,000 residents.
Lewis pleaded guilty in 2008 after using her position at the Colorado Department of Human Services East Food Stamp Office to reissue electronic benefit transfer cards meant for other recipients. The cards were then used by her roommate and herself to obtain thousands of dollars in public assistance. She received an 18‑month probation sentence, paid full restitution and has held two elected offices since the plea.
When asked whether the conviction should bar her from office, Lewis replied, "I actually think that experience is what actually qualifies me." She added that as a young mother grieving at the time, she "did something really silly, paid my restitution, did my time and navigated all the ills of poverty."
Colorado's constitution, however, contains a clause that bars anyone convicted of "embezzlement of public moneys, bribery, perjury, solicitation of bribery, or subornation of perjury" from holding "any office of trust or profit in this state." Legal scholars note that the language does not explicitly mention misdemeanor theft, leaving a gray area that has not been tested in court. The issue has surfaced in local media but no formal challenge has yet been filed.
Lewis's remarks come as socialist‑aligned candidates have made notable gains in Denver and across the country. In June's Democratic primary, former school teacher Melat Kiros defeated 15‑term congresswoman Diana DeGette by 13 points, positioning herself as a front‑runner for the November congressional race. State senator Julie Gonzales, also endorsed by the DSA, lost a statewide bid to Governor John Hickenlooper but won Denver with 54 percent of the vote.
The mayoral contest pits Lewis against incumbent Mike Johnston, who was first elected in 2023. Johnston's administration has faced criticism for budget cuts aimed at closing a $200 million deficit. Those cuts affected a range of services, and Lewis argued that the city missed an opportunity to trim the Department of Safety, the umbrella agency that includes the Denver Police Department (DPD).
"We missed an opportunity to go back to those that were represented with DPD, with our Department of Safety, where we didn't actually see any cuts coming from the department," Lewis said. She suggested that overtime spending could be a target for savings, though she stopped short of outlining a comprehensive plan.
Police reform is a recurring theme in Denver politics. Chief Ron Thomas testified before the city council in March, defending the department's budget amid calls for greater accountability. Lewis has long criticized costly settlements related to police misconduct, arguing that those funds could be redirected to youth programs and affordable housing.
When pressed for specifics on how she would reshape the police budget, Lewis replied that she would first need "relationships and conversations" with department officials. She emphasized the need for "understanding the circumstances" before committing to detailed proposals.
Legal experts say that even if Lewis were to win, any attempt to defund the police would require council approval and could be constrained by state law. Colorado's statutes limit a city's ability to reallocate funds from public safety without a voter‑approved levy or a change in the municipal charter.
The mayoral race is historically competitive. Denver has not re‑elected a mayor after a single term since 1963, and incumbents typically enjoy strong name‑recognition advantages. Johnston's approval ratings have slipped in recent months, partly due to the budget shortfall and rising concerns over public safety. Nonetheless, an August poll commissioned by a local university gave Johnston a 55‑percent favorability rating, while Lewis lingered at 15 percent.
Political analysts note that the DSA's growing presence could influence the broader Democratic primary landscape in Colorado. The party's platform emphasizes universal housing, expanded public transit, and a shift toward "community‑based safety" models. If Lewis were to secure the mayor's office, she would join a handful of socialist‑identified mayors in major U.S. cities, a trend that includes leaders in places like Seattle and Minneapolis.
For voters in the Mountain West, the race illustrates how local elections can intersect with national debates over criminal justice reform, fiscal policy, and the role of government assistance programs. Denver's budget decisions affect regional transportation projects that connect to neighboring states, and the city's approach to policing is watched by municipalities across the United States seeking to balance safety and reform.
In Canada, municipal leaders face similar dilemmas as they grapple with budget constraints and calls for police budget reviews. While Canadian cities do not have a direct equivalent to Colorado's constitutional bar, provincial statutes often set eligibility criteria for elected officials, making the Denver case a point of comparative interest for scholars of North American municipal governance.
As the April 6 primary approaches, Lewis must translate her personal narrative into a concrete policy platform that resonates with a diverse electorate. Her campaign will need to address concerns about public safety, fiscal responsibility, and the practical steps required to implement the progressive agenda she espouses.
Should the legal question of her eligibility be raised after the primary, it could trigger a court review that would set a precedent for future candidates with misdemeanor convictions. Until then, the focus remains on voter outreach, fundraising, and the ability to differentiate her vision from Johnston's record.
The outcome of Denver's mayoral race will likely serve as a bellwether for the strength of socialist‑aligned candidates in urban centers ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, offering insight into how voters weigh personal histories against policy proposals in a tightly contested political environment.