With the Grand Junction municipal election approaching on April 8, 2025, City Council member Cody Kennedy is seeking reelection. However, he has raised concerns about the way the race is unfolding, citing what he sees as an orchestrated effort against him.

Political Tensions Surface

Kennedy’s opponent, Alexis Hitzeroth, entered the race close to the filing deadline, raising red flags for the incumbent.

“What I discovered was that all the signatures had been obtained, and all the campaign-related documents had been dated no later than two days prior to the deadline,” Kennedy stated.

The late entry, coupled with backing from certain individuals, led Kennedy to believe there is an effort to push him out of office.

Ties to HomewardBound

Bill Wade, a board member of HomewardBound, a local nonprofit, is openly supporting Hitzeroth. Kennedy, who has both championed and criticized the organization, sees this as significant.

“I supported the start of the resource center. I’ve been cheering it on. I’ve also probably been the most vocal critic for some of the issues related to it,” he explained.

He believes past disagreements may have played a role in the current political landscape.

A Coordinated Effort?

Between Hitzeroth’s last-minute campaign filing and the involvement of individuals he has politically clashed with, Kennedy feels targeted.

“It’s all these people and some other folks that have had maybe some political conflict with me, that might not have liked some of the things I’ve done over the last few years, especially the last year,” he said. “It feels a little bit to me like a concerted effort to remove me from council… It feels to me like an attack.”

Responses from HomewardBound and Hitzeroth

HomewardBound addressed the issue with a statement clarifying its stance:

“HomewardBound of the Grand Valley is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Bill Wade occupies a seat on our governing Board of Directors. His role, like that of any other board member, is as part of a consensus. Our Board of Directors represents diverse perspectives in our community, and as individuals, they have the right to demonstrate their views. These views do not reflect the position or opinion of HomewardBound as an organization.”

Meanwhile, attempts to reach Hitzeroth for comment were unsuccessful.