I’m sure it’s tough being any one of the three Denver school board incumbents right now, staring defeat in the face as they are.
But that doesn’t excuse the desperate, dishonest drivel put out in a statement this week by candidate Scott Esserman, trying to tie four candidates to Donald Trump’s Project 2025.
Candidates Caron Blanke (running against Esserman in central Denver District 3), Alex Magaña (at-large), Mariana del Hierro (running against incumbent Xóchitl Gaytán in southwest Denver District 2), and Jeremy Harris (running against incumbent Michelle Quattlebaum in northeast Denver District 4) had the unsolicited and unwelcome misfortune of being endorsed recently by the Denver Republican Party.
But to suggest that the candidates therefore support the retrogressive agenda of Project 2025 is flat-out dishonest and Esserman must know that. Yet he wrote this:
“When Republicans line up behind a slate for DPS, they’re not being coy – they’re telling voters that they expect these candidates will carry Trump’s Project 2025 agenda into Denver schools.”
He goes on to say: “Denver’s children are not props for Washington’s agenda…We call on voters across our city to reject the Denver GOP’s slate and to stand with leaders who show up for every kid, every day.”
Esserman doesn’t come out directly and assert that candidates back that agenda, but the insinuation is clear. I know that “politics ain’t beanbag,” as the old saying from my hometown of Chicago asserts.
But this hits below the belt.
I thought it only fair that someone should give the candidates a chance to respond to this groundless attack.
Here are their responses:
Alex Magaña: “To be clear, I never sought out this endorsement.I strongly oppose the Trump administrations attacks on education and our students. As a first-generation college graduate who chose to dedicate my life to serving Denver’s public schools, I’ve always focused on equity and opportunity for all students. Our students deserve leaders focused on their futures, not political games and that is what I will bring to the board.”
Mariana del Hierro: “I reject the kind of divisive, fear-based politics that Donald Trump has used to attack our students and their families. I’ve spent my career working alongside immigrant and working-class families to build opportunity and belonging in Denver, and I will continue to fight for our community on the School Board. Our students deserve leaders who rise above partisanship and focus on trust, collaboration, and their futures — not political games.
This election is about whether we can create schools where every child, no matter their background or zip code, feels safe, supported, and able to dream big. That’s what I’ll fight for every day.”
Caron Blanke: “I’ve never even spoken to anyone involved in that organization, and I reject their endorsement. I’m a lifelong Democrat, and Donald Trump’s MAGA Republican Party stands in direct conflict with what I value: honesty, inclusion, and protecting our most vulnerable students.
On the board, I’ll be a forceful opponent of Trump-style politics and the kind of cynical, dishonest BS my opponent is peddling here, because our students deserve leaders focused on their futures, not political games.”
Jeremy Harris: “I was not interviewed by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the Denver GOP’s “Quick Ballot Guide.” Like many candidates, my name was included in their voter’s guide without my knowledge. I reject any attempt to tie me to Trump’s Project 2025 agenda. I do not support any policy that causes harm to immigrant families, eliminates protections for students with disabilities, or strips resources from our most vulnerable children. I denounce fear-based politics that distract from what really matters in this election, our students.
My only agenda is safer schools, stronger academics, and real-world readiness for every student in Denver. I’m focused on restoring trust between the board and our communities, raising reading and math scores, supporting our teachers, and making sure kids graduate ready for life.
I’m not here for partisan politics. I’m here for parents, students, and educators and I won’t be deterred by distractions or smears. Scott Esserman is resorting to fear and distraction because he can’t defend the broken system he helped create.”
