| Election Name: | 2019 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Flag Image: | File:Flag of Des Moines, Iowa.svg |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2015 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 2015 |
| Next Election: | 2023 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 2023 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 2019 (first round) December 3, 2019 (runoff)[1] |
| 1Blank: | First round |
| 2Blank: | Runoff |
| Candidate1: | Frank Cownie |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| 1Data1: | 10,751 43.40% |
| 2Data1: | 10,312 50.58% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| 1Data2: | 10,569 42.67% |
| 2Data2: | 10,023 49.16% |
| Candidate4: | Chase E. Holm |
| Party4: | Republican Party (United States) |
| 1Data4: | 2,054 8.29% |
| Candidate5: | Joe Grandanette |
| Party5: | Republican Party (United States) |
| 1Data5: | 1,336 5.39% |
| Mayor | |
| Before Election: | Frank Cownie |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 2019 Des Moines mayoral election had an initial round held on November 5, 2019, with a runoff scheduled for December 3 to elect the mayor of Des Moines, Iowa. It saw the reelection of incumbent mayor Frank Cownie.
Cownie's margin of victory in the runoff was narrower than the margin of victory in any of his previous mayoral elections.[2] [3] [4] [5]
Incumbent Mayor Frank Cownie announced his intent to seek re-election on September 11, 2019.[6] [7] At that time, Cownie would face Republican challengers Chase Holm and Joe Grandanette in the November election. With his announcement, Cownie was seeking an unprecedented fifth term as Mayor of Des Moines.
After speculation, Jack Hatch, a former Iowa State Representative and State Senator representing the Des Moines area, formally announced his candidacy for Mayor on September 19th, 2019.[8] In his announcement, Hatch emphasized his commitment to addressing infrastructure issues across the city.
Both Cownie and Hatch engaged in an active and intense campaign, with both candidates launching attack ads against the other.[9] Cownie maintained a fundraising advantage against Hatch, though Hatch was able to contribute $75,000 in personal funds to his campaign.[10]