In fact, Knorr says Thomas is popular in Capitol Hill because residents like his mix of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism and feel that he is open to all the groups that make up the district. He adds that Capitol Hill probably has more diversity of income, education, race and lifestyle than any other part of the city, and it will always be a challenge to represent such a varied district. Since the neighborhood is often regarded as one of the most liberal in Denver, Thomas's success there is even more surprising.
"I'm not going to deny I'm a conservative," says Thomas. "There's the ability to be a Democrat and a conservative. I'm a fiscal conservative; I think it's important to protect taxpayers' investment in the city. In some areas, I'm far more socially liberal than other people. They can't pigeonhole me that easily. Find me a conservative Republican that would be a witness at a gay union. Find me a conservative Republican that would work a gay bar at night. I'm a fiscal conservative and a social liberal on some issues. I don't see that as a contradiction."
John Johnston
John Johnston
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Many people praise Thomas's efforts to help Denver nonprofit groups. He has sponsored numerous events to benefit schools and community organizations.
"Ed has facilitated several fairly sizable donations," says Leslie Foster, executive director of the Gathering Place, a shelter for battered women. "This past Christmas he invited a bunch of people to his party, and the price of admission was a donation to the Gathering Place. We consider Ed a good friend. He likes the fact that we're a private organization and get very little government money. He also likes that we help people rebuild their lives."
However, Thomas has also noted that Capitol Hill still has the biggest concentration of group homes and halfway houses in the city. The neighborhood has "done more than its share" to provide that type of housing, he says.
Mason Lewis says that when he ran for council against Thomas, the big issues were traffic, parking and affordable housing. None of these problems has been solved, but Lewis says that whoever represented the district would have a more difficult time addressing the challenges in the heart of Capitol Hill than in places such as Cherry Creek.
"The problems affecting the northern part of the district are difficult to solve," he says. "The problems around Cherry Creek are easier. How do you protect affordable housing on Capitol Hill? That's not an easy problem to solve. These are social issues that can't be easily solved. As low-income people get forced out, where do you put them? It's easy to put in a traffic light, but how do you solve that?"
But Thomas doesn't claim to be looking for big solutions to Denver's problems. He makes it clear that for him, solving the day-to-day problems of neighbors is what city government is all about. "I feel my job is constituent contact and dealing with the nuts and bolts in our community," he says. "It comes down to keeping the streets clean and keeping the bad guy from your door. Politically, if you can do that, you're a success."
