Update on 04/06: Incumbent Candi CdeBaca continues to lead. It's more than likely she will face Darrell Watson in the runoff race.
Update on 04/05: There's been a lead change but both incumbent Candi CdeBaca and Darrell Watson are still leading to be in the runoff race.
Wednesday's lead change remains the same on the third day of ballot counting.
With 16,570 votes counted, current Councilmember Candi CdeBaca leads with 44.24% of the vote or 7,330 votes. Her challenger Darrell Watson has 42.98% of the vote. On Wednesday, CdeBaca led by only 54 votes. That was extended to 208 votes.
Both will likely head to the runoff race on June 6.
At the Denver Democratic Socialists of America watch party Tuesday, CdeBaca told supporters the numbers weren't official yet and will continue to flow in, as they have. According to the Clerk & Recorder's office, there are only 2,400 votes left to be counted.
"Many of you were here back in 2019 and this is the same thing," CdeBaca said. "Our people show up today. Our people are going to come for us. They have our backs...but if we have to do this s*** again, we know how."
The Clerk's office previously said they received 55,000 ballots right before the deadline Tuesday night.
CdeBaca is seeking a second term. In 2019, she was also in a runoff race against then-incumbent Albus Brooks. She was also in second place during the initial election. CdeBaca is focused on creating more "deeply affordable" housing, preserving that housing and ensuring community members get a say in new developments.
Watson currently serves on the Housing Stability Strategic Advisors board. He's also the board chair of the Denver Park Trust. Watson previously ran twice for council, losing in 2007 against Carla Madison and dropping out of the race in 2011 due to a cancer diagnosis. Watson is focused on housing, healthy living and public safety.
District 9 covers North Denver and experienced the most change during the redistricting process. The current neighborhoods in the area are a portion of City Park, Clayton, Cole, Elyria-Swansea, Five Points, Globeville, Skyland, Whittier. The district gained North Park Hill and South Park Hill but it lost Auraria, Central Businesses District, City Park West, Union Station and the other portion of City Park.
Land use is the most talked about issue in District 9, especially when it comes to housing, development type, small businesses and land ownership.
This story will continue being updated as new results are received.
