Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 in November of 2020, paving the way for the state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program, also known as "FAMLI."
Donelson, a former Army Green Beret and retired physician assistant, led by 7,913 votes 48% early results from the city clerks office showed. The other three trailed with Glenn Carlson, a businessman, getting 28% of the early vote; Jim Mason, a retired Army colonel, gaining 15.8% of the vote; and Michael Seeger getting 7% in early returns.
All four are political newcomers who were competing to replace Councilman Don Knight, who was term limited from running again.
The race was one of six district races on the ballot where voters selected a representative from their area.
In District 1, a new apartment complex proposed at the end of Garden of the Gods, growth management, public transportation, parks and public safety were some of the hot topics among candidates.
Colorado Springs City Council District 1 candidates debate Garden of the Gods apartments, bike lanes gazette.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gazette.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Glenn Carlson District 1, northwest Colorado Springs Carlson, 37 and the co-owner of Absolute Body Balance, wants to bolster economic recovery from the pandemic possibly by expanding tax breaks for businesses. Carlson is also a board member for the Trails and Open Space Coalition, a group that advocates for investment in parks, and he would work to create, protect and preserve parks especially in poorer neighborhoods to provide safe places for kids to play. He would also prioritize updating zoning codes. Carlson is a Colorado Springs native.