Colorado Springs, Colorado has been electing Republican mayors for over 45 years.
As of May 16, that’s no longer the case. This surprising turn of events has the GOP a bit worried and shows how much American politics is changing.
Surprise Underdog Win
Republican candidate Wayne Williams was widely expected to win the race against Nigerian-born Independent opponent Yemi Mobolade. Mobolade, who has made a name working on the city council, had other plans.
He went on to defeat Williams in what is the first major mayoral contest so far this year for the GOP in Colorado. Colorado Springs is widely known as a conservative stronghold and the fact that Mobolade took this race has some big implications.
This is Yemi Mobolade, a Yoruba man from Nigeria.
He has been elected as the next Mayor of Colorado Springs, USA. He will become the first elected Black Mayor of Colorado Springs.
Yemi defeated Wayne Williams in a run-off contest on Tuesday Night.
Yoruba Excellence. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/cjOhufjQLB
— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) May 17, 2023
What Does Mobolade’s Victory Mean?
Mobolade is from Nigeria and showed up in Colorado Springs in 2010; he started up two restaurants that went on to get very well-known and well-loved.
He went on to work on the economic development area of the city council, making a name for himself in expanding opportunities and business in Colorado Springs. His election result of 57% of the vote is definitely impressive, particularly in such a Republican area.
Williams conceded soon after finding out the final results, congratulating Mobolade, but blaming the Republican Party for being too divided and not backing him sufficiently.
The current mayor of Colorado Springs is Republican John Suthers. Williams was running to succeed him.
Suthers has been in office since 2015; the mayors before him all the way back to the late 1970s have been Republicans.
Mobolade promises Colorado Springs will become more “inclusive” and “vibrant” under his leadership, which sounds like some typical left-wing posturing.
One of Colorado’s most powerful Republican leaders, Wayne Williams, conceded to Independent Yemi Mobolade last night.
Williams quickly ditched his party to congratulate Mobolade on being elected as the first black Mayor in #ColoradoSprings #copolitics @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/fCsh5RJBH4
— Chelsea Brentzel KRDO (@ChelseaBrentzel) May 17, 2023
The Bottom Line
As Williams said, the GOP ended up internally divided with Republican candidates focused on defeating each other, instead of their opponents.
He believes that lost him the race and his party. Sound familiar?
This article appeared in StatesmanPost and has been published here with permission.
