Shifting demographics of traditional black district reflected in historic vote

Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 6, 2007 at midnight

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Voters in District 8 passed a milestone Tuesday, electing a white woman to represent an area that has been the symbolic heart of Denver's black community for more than half a century.

Carla Madison narrowly defeated Sharon Bailey to win the City Council seat, which has been held by an African-American since the 1950s.

Madison will replace Elbra Wedgeworth, who left the council this year to take another job.

District 8 has played a historic role in Denver politics, electing many of the first black representatives to the City Council and state legislature. The district extends from downtown into Park Hill.

In recent years, the population of District 8 has shifted, with many black families moving to the suburbs and white and Hispanic families taking their place. The district is now roughly one-third black, one-third white and one-third Hispanic.

Madison immediately vowed to reach out to black residents. She plans to locate her district office on Welton Street in Five Points.

"The African-American community is crucial to this district," she said. "I've been reaching out to them all along."

Wedgeworth said District 8 is probably the most diverse in the city. But she said the area will always be the emotional center of the black community, even as it changes.

"Our legacy and history are here. That won't disappear regardless of the winner," said Wedgeworth.

Harold Brewer is a 74-year-old black man who has lived in District 8 for more than 50 years. He was the campaign manager for Hiawatha Davis, a black councilman who represented the district for years.

But this year he chose to support Madison. Brewer said he thought voters in the district were looking for the best candidate, regardless of ethnicity.

"I live on Madison Street and I supported a Madison," he said with a laugh.

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