“I'm running because right now, there's a sense of urgency from families that I speak to. There are huge crises across housing, across healthcare, childcare, energy bills, and I think the pocketbook issue is the one unifying thing that everyone can agree is a problem,” Ezeadi said in an interview.

Democrat Obi Ezeadi hopes to replace Democratic Sen. Rachel Zenzinger in Senate District 19, which includes parts of Westminster and Arvada. Ezeadi serves as a Westminster City Council member and recently founded a political action committee to support Black, Indigenous and people of color running for state and local office.

“It helps to ensure that all cultural backgrounds are seen and heard and appreciated,” said City Councilor Obi Ezeadi.

City Councilors took some heat – and some praise – for their vote on a comprehensive plan that seeks to decrease Westminster's residential density in favor of commercial developments at the March 27 meeting.

“Our resistance to apartments and multi-family is also irresponsible and entitled. I don't like using those words, but someone had to say it,” Councilor Obi Ezeadi said as his colleagues approved a plan that zones for more single-family homes and commercial spaces on developable land by a 5-2 vote. Ezeadi and City Councilor Sarah Nurmela were the dissenting votes

“Addressing the housing crisis requires state and local governments to come together to create effective change that will allow more affordable housing to be built, faster. By breaking down barriers and building the most affordable type of housing options, more Coloradans will be able to find the home they deserve, and our communities will continue to flourish,” said Westminster City Councilor Obi Ezeadi.

Some elected officials have signaled they want to eliminate so-called “entitlement” programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veteran’s Benefits. These programs are not gifts; look at your paycheck and you will see that you pay for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid each time your employer pays you. Even if you have your own business, you have to pay into the program.

As a Westminster City councilor, I have an ongoing opportunity to connect with my community frequently, and I understand their needs because I also suffered through rent insecurity as a youth. My constituents include seniors, firefighters, young families, nurses and Uber drivers. To think that these folks might not be able to continue to afford living in their own community is part of the reason I chose to run for office.

Facebook post from Westminster City Councilman Obi Ezeada, pushing a slate of candidates for the Senate District 19 central committee. Eleven of his 12 preferred candidates won seats on the central committee on Feb. 11.