Kayvan Khalatbari suspends Denver mayoral campaign

Kayvan Khalatbari speaks with a reporter at Mutiny Information Cafe, Nov. 29, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Esteban L. Hernandez

Oct. 02, 2018, 9:28 p.m.

Kayvan Khalatbari is suspending his run for mayor, his campaign announced.

Westword first reported the announcement Tuesday night.

“For personal reasons I must remove myself from this process to focus on my family and my personal health and wellness,” he said in a press release Wednesday morning. “I cannot thank enough all the people who have been participants in building this movement, including those who have helped educate and inform me on Denver’s vast and vibrant communities and the many pressing issues we are facing.”

The news came a day after former state senator Penfield Tate announced he was running for city mayor to unseat two-term incumbent Mayor Michael Hancock. It’s unclear if Khalatbari’s decision is related to Tate jumping into the race.

Khalatbari’s campaign outraised Hancock for a time earlier this year, raising $70,000 to Hancock’s $45,000 during the first three months of 2018.

This story will be updated.

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