Mayoral Candidates Make Final Preparations

Steve Bach and Richard Skorman presented different approaches and moods Monday as they made final preparations for Tuesday’s mayoral election in Colorado Springs.

Bach preferred to run a small north side office with a minimum of staff. He said he’s cautiously optimistic about winning the mayor’s race.

“I wouldn’t say I’m confident,” said Bach. “I honestly haven’t really thought that far ahead. We’ve done no polling, so we don’t really know precisely where we stand. We think it’ll be very close.”

Skorman runs a larger downtown office, where several volunteers were busily working. He believes his previous experience on the City Council will be an advantage to him.

“I’m excited and nervous,” said Skorman. I think we’re going to win this. I feel like we have a good chance.”

Since the weekend, both candidates have made hundreds of phone calls and walked through neighborhoods, trying to woo undecided voters. The winner becomes the city’s first mayor under the new strong mayor form of government.

“I’m surprised that the campaign got negative and that outside money came in,” Skorman said.

Bach is counting on his economic development background to win.

“Some of the reporting has been disappointing,” he said, referring to articles about him in local newspapers. “I think the voters see through that.”

The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Tuesday.