Colorado Springs – District 1 City Councilman Dave Donelson confirmed to KRDO13 that he intends to seek the office of mayor in the city’s April 2026 election. Donelson’s Facebook page now reads “Dave Donelson Mayor for the People,” signaling his early entry into the race.

Early Announcement Aims to Boost Voter Turnout

Mayor Yemi Mobolade also announced his reelection campaign this April, noting that municipal elections in Colorado Springs historically see turnout around 40 percent. He said early announcements help remind voters to show up for both the mayoral race and the broader city election.

Field of Candidates Expands

At least five candidates have publicly declared their intent to run, with filing deadlines extending to the end of January. Former El Paso County Board Chairman Stan VanderWerf entered the race in June, emphasizing safety, affordability, road quality, thoughtful growth, fiscal accountability and restoring trust in local government. VanderWerf described Colorado Springs as capable of becoming “the best city in the Nation” with the right leadership.

Other declared hopefuls include Glen Shaw and John “Tig” Tiegen, the latter having previously run for mayor in 2023.

Campaign Finance Landscape

Mayor‑candidates have already raised more than $213,000. filings show Mayor Mobolade carried roughly $100,000 from his 2023 campaign and has raised a comparable amount this year. Shaw, Tiegen and VanderWerf together account for the remaining $10,000. Councilman Donelson has not yet filed a campaign‑finance report, as the filing deadline has passed.

Implications for Council District 1

Colorado law prohibits elected officials from holding their current seat while running for another office. Should Donelson win—or even if he loses—he must vacate his council seat. The seat will be officially vacated on the third Tuesday in April at 9:59 a.m., and the council will have 30 days after the swearing‑in of new officials to appoint a replacement, who will serve until the next municipal election in April 2029.

Donelson’s Statement

“As a Colorado Springs City Councilman for the past five and a half years, I have earned a reputation for listening to citizens, acting with integrity and transparency, and fighting for the interests of our neighborhoods and businesses,” Donelson said in a brief statement. “Now we need a mayor who shares those values. As a father, recent grandfather and former Green Beret, I look forward to serving the citizens of Colorado Springs as their Mayor for the People.”

Next Steps

Donelson indicated an official campaign launch will occur in the coming weeks. Voters can expect additional candidate forums and debates as the filing deadline approaches, providing an opportunity to compare platforms on public safety, economic growth, infrastructure and family‑focused policies.

For updates on the mayoral race and other local elections, residents are encouraged to follow KRDO13’s coverage and attend upcoming city‑government meetings.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.