Sarah Parady Endorses Whitney Traylor for Denver Council

The former council member is supporting the attorney in the upcoming race for the vacant at-large seat.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Elections

Sarah Parady Endorses Whitney Traylor for Denver Council

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Former Denver City Council member Sarah Parady has endorsed attorney and mediator Whitney Traylor in the election to fill her former vacancy. Traylor is one of 10 candidates competing for the at-large seat in the November election.

Why it matters

Parady stated that she endorsed Traylor because of his potential to challenge ineffective municipal systems and hold city leadership accountable. His candidacy marks a significant point in the contest as the field narrows ahead of the vote.

There are 10 total candidates competing for the vacant at-large seat in the November election. The race follows the August 2026 resignation of Sarah Parady from the Denver City Council.

The players

Sarah Parady

She is a former member of the Denver City Council who resigned from her seat in August 2026.

Whitney Traylor

He is an attorney, professional mediator, professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, and a legal analyst for 9News.

Monica Martinez

She is one of the candidates running for the vacant at-large City Council seat.

Melissa Mejía

She is a candidate currently competing in the race for the vacant City Council seat.

The details

Whitney Traylor, who is not affiliated with a political party, is a professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver and a legal analyst for 9News. Other prominent candidates in the race include Monica Martinez, who has been endorsed by Jamie Torres, Amanda Sandoval, and Darrell Watson, and Melissa Mejía, who received the support of Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez.

August 2026: Sarah Parady resigned from the City Council.
October 16, 2026: Sarah Parady issued the endorsement news release.
November 2026: The at-large City Council vacancy election occurs.

Political Context

This election adheres to the protocols established by the Denver City Charter for filling a council vacancy mid-term. Supporters of alternative candidates have voiced opposition to Parady's pick, prioritizing candidates who emphasize different approaches to city management.

The outcome of this election will determine the representative for the vacant at-large seat on the Denver City Council. Residents should prepare for the upcoming November ballot to decide which candidate will fill the vacancy and influence local policy.

The takeaway

Voters should review the list of 10 candidates carefully as the election approaches in November. Understanding the professional backgrounds of candidates like Whitney Traylor can help constituents decide who is best suited to hold the city accountable.