COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade has tapped his former political opponent, Wayne Williams, as his next Chief of Staff.
The announcement comes as Jamie Fabos, Mobolade's previous Chief of Staff left the job in February.
Williams lost to Mobolade in 2023 by 15 points in the Mayoral runoff election. He brings a lengthy resume as an employment attorney and someone with numerous jobs, including several elected offices to the role.
Williams' last elected office was as a Colorado Springs City Councilman before he ran for Mayor, prior to his elected office with the city, he was Colorado's Secretary of State.
During the 2023 Mayoral Runoff Election, Williams painted Mobolade as a liberal and himself as the conservative candidate.
"It is true that there were strong words on different issues, he [Mobolade] described my wife as part of a family dynasty in his campaign, and I wasn't aware that that was quite that level," Willliams said, "I do believe that Yemi is to the left of me on issues, so that's on at least certain issues, and that's indisputably true, he just described it, he is unaffiliated."
While Williams will be paid a salary of about $270,000, he said the city charter prevents him from endorsing anyone for the 2027 Mayoral election.
"The Chief of Staff is charged in the city charter with staying neutral in election races, it is actually illegal to ask the chief of staff for an endorsement or support or a contribution," Williams said, "it's in city code, it has been, I think we looked at it, since 1909 or so and so the chief of the staff stays neutral in election races," Williams said.
The provision applies to city officers and employees.
Williams add said he has a track record of working with people he may not align with politically.
"I worked with pretty much everybody in the legislature. I had bills in my office sponsored, that were carried by Joe Salazar on the left side of the Democratic party and Patrick and Tim Neville on the right side of the Republican party, so I believe in working with everybody. I've got a long track record that says that," Williams said.
Williams and Mobolade credited Councilman David Leinweber with orchestrating the meeting between the pair for Williams to come on board as the Chief of Staff. One of the primary roles of Chief of Staff in the past has been facilitating relationships between council and the Mayor, there's also more to be done.
"Part of it is also to make sure I develop a good working relationship with the 3,000 city employees that play such a key role in this community going forward. They're facing some tough challenges right now because of budget issues, and so we want to make sure they have the support they need," Williams said.
Currently, city employees have been hit with furlough days as the city works through an anticipated $31 million shortfall.
Mobolade has often referenced Abraham Lincoln's "Team of Rivals" as his inspiration for leadership, he brought that up in Thursday's news conference about bringing Williams into the role.
"Lincoln led through one of the most divisive times in our nation's history and one of his leadership decisions that continues to stand out is really how he built his team," Mobolade said "at the end of the day, this role [Chief of Staff] is about execution, it is about understanding how government works, about how decisions move, and how to deliver real results for the people we serve. Wayne brings that in ways very few people can," Mobolade said.
Williams will officially start the job April 20.
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