| Election Name: | Des Moines mayoral special election, 1997 |
| Flag Image: | File:Flag of Des Moines, Iowa.svg |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1995 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 1995 |
| Next Election: | 1999 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 1999 |
| Election Date: | October 7, 1997 (first round) November 4, 1997 (runoff) |
| Candidate1: | Preston Daniels |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 20,659 |
| Percentage1: | 54.14% |
| Candidate2: | Jim Cownie |
| Party2: | Nonpartisan candidate |
| Popular Vote2: | 17,394 |
| Percentage2: | 45.58% |
| Mayor | |
| Before Election: | Robert D. Ray (interim) |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1997 Des Moines mayoral special election was held on October 7, 1997, to elect the mayor of Des Moines, Iowa. It saw the election of Preston Daniels. Daniels became the city's first African American mayor.