Mike Johnston, a former Colorado state senator buoyed by millions of dollars in outside spending, declared victory on Tuesday night in Denver’s mayoral election, beating out a candidate who had been vying to become the first woman to hold the office. As of 10 p.m., Mr. Johnston had pulled ahead with about 54 percent of the vote in the runoff contest, which is nonpartisan though both candidates are Democrats. His opponent, Kelly Brough, a former head of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, had about 46 percent. But Mr. Johnston continued to hold a steady lead throughout the evening after polls closed. “We can build a city that is big enough keep all of us safe, to house all of us, to support all of us,” Mr. Johnston said in a victory speech on Tuesday night.

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Persons: Mike Johnston, Johnston, Kelly Brough, Brough, ” Mr, ” Organizations: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Locations: Colorado, Denver’s, Denver