The 2023 Des Moines mayoral election was held on November 7, 2023. Mayoral elections in Des Moines are officially nonpartisan and use the plurality vote system, with no possibility of a runoff. Incumbent mayor Frank Cownie decided to retire rather than run for re-election to a historic sixth term in office.[1]
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 Precinct results Boesen: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Mandelbaum: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Tie: 40–50% No votes | |||||||||||||
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At-large city councilor Connie Boesen narrowly defeated ward 3 city councilor Josh Mandelbaum, as well as several other candidates. Boesen had been endorsed by Cownie as well as the city's largest newspaper, The Des Moines Register, and every other member of the city council with the exception of Mandelbaum. Boesen was sworn in as the first female mayor of Des Moines on January 8, 2024.[2]
Candidates
editDeclared
edit- Connie Boesen, at-large city councilor and mayor pro tempore[3] (Party affiliation: Democratic)[4]
- Denver Foote, cosmetologist[5] (Party affiliation: Democratic)[6]
- Josh Mandelbaum, city councilor for ward 3[7] (Party affiliation: Democratic)[8]
- Christopter Von Arx (Party affiliation: Republican)[9]
Declined
edit- Frank Cownie, incumbent mayor (Party affiliation: Democratic)[1] (endorsed Boesen)[10]
Endorsements
editConnie Boesen (D)
- Local officials
- Frank Cownie, incumbent mayor of Des Moines[10]
- Joe Gatto, city councilor for ward 4[10]
- Carl Voss, at-large city councilor[10]
- Linda Westergaard, city councilor for ward 2[10]
- Newspapers
Results
edit| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connie Boesen | 14,488 | 48.22 | |
| Josh Mandelbaum | 13,777 | 45.85 | |
| Denver Foote | 971 | 3.23 | |
| Christopher Von Arx | 704 | 2.34 | |
| Write-ins | 107 | 0.36 | |
| Total votes | 30,047 | 100 | |
References
edit- ^ a b Clayworth, Jason (September 21, 2023). "After 20 years, Des Moines' mayor won't seek re-election". Axios. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Lathers, Addison; Barreda, Virginia (January 8, 2024). "Des Moines swears in first woman mayor: 'Everything can be possible'". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ Barreda, Virginia (March 20, 2023). "At-large City Council member Connie Boesen announces bid for Des Moines mayor". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ "Connie Boesen for Des Moines City Council — ActBlue".
- ^ Barreda, Virginia (7 February 2023). "Des Moines activist, cosmetologist Denver Foote announces run for mayor". The Des Moines Register.
- ^ "Denver Foote for Des Moines Mayor — ActBlue".
- ^ Thompson, Chad (February 1, 2023). "Des Moines City Council member Josh Mandelbaum is running for mayor". KCCI.
- ^ "Josh Mandelbaum for Des Moines City Council — ActBlue".
- ^ Searles, Dana (September 21, 2023). "Who is on the ballot for Des Moines' Nov. 7 election?". We Are Iowa. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Barreda, Virginia (November 3, 2023). "Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie announces endorsement for a mayoral candidate". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Editorial: Connie Boesen has the best approach to lead Des Moines forward". The Des Moines Register. October 20, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Iowa election 2023: Full results from Nov. 7 elections in central Iowa". KCCI. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
External links
edit- Official campaign websites