Shontel Lewis, a Democratic Socialist running in the Denver mayoral election, has a unique spin on her prior arrest for the theft of food stamps. She says it makes her more qualified to hold office.
In 2008, while she worked at the Department of Human Services East Food Stamp Office, Lewis used that job to take public benefit money that belonged to other people.
According to the police affidavit reported by the Denver Post, she searched EBT systems for inactive accounts that still had money and reissued benefit cards from those accounts.
She then gave cards to a roommate to use for food and cash benefits.
Investigators tied her to at least five to seven cases accessed over about five months starting in March 2008.
Although she initially denied wrongdoing, she later admitted it and said she was struggling financially. Initially, she was charged with more serious counts, but pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft. A felony theft count was deferred and later dismissed in 2011.
She served 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay more than $6,000 in restitution.
In a recent interview with Kyle Clark’s Next 9NEWS, Lewis explains why
Clark asked, “And then what do you say to folks who believe that that criminal conviction from 2008, I think?”
Lewis affirmed, “Correct.”
Clark continued, “2008 is disqualifying for somebody who wants to serve as mayor because it involved public monies. You took public monies that weren’t yours. What do you say to those folks?”
Lewis responded, “I actually think that experience is what actually qualifies me.”
“Twenty years ago, I was young. I was a young mom. I was grieving. I did something really silly, and I paid my restitution. I did my time and I took care of what I needed to do. While also navigating all of the ills of poverty.”
“And 20 years later, I’m running for mayor because I don’t want those conditions to ever exist where someone is in a state of desperation where they feel like they have to go down that pathway.
Lewis pressed, “You would acknowledge that there are a lot of people who are in really bad situations….”
“Absolutely,” she answered.
“Who don’t steal from taxpayers?” Clark added.
“Absolutely,” Lewis admitted.
Watch:
Denver DSA mayoral candidate Shontel Lewis says her conviction for stealing public benefits is actually what “qualifies” her to be mayor.
“I did something really silly.”
Was convicted in 2008 of misdemeanor theft in connection with a case involving the theft of public benefits pic.twitter.com/NbC7REHJDC
— D. Scott @eclipsethis2003 (@eclipsethis2003) September 15, 2026
Lewis is “proudly endorsed” by the Democratic Socialists of America.
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