2023 Des Moines mayoral election explained
| Election Name: | 2023 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Flag Image: | File:Flag of Des Moines, Iowa.svg |
| Type: | mayoral |
| Previous Election: | 2019 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 2019 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 2023 |
| Next Election: | 2027 Des Moines mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 2027 |
| Candidate1: | Connie Boesen |
| Color1: | c0c0c0 |
| Popular Vote1: | 14,488 |
| Percentage1: | 48.22% |
| Candidate2: | Josh Mandelbaum |
| Color2: | c0c0c0 |
| Popular Vote2: | 13,777 |
| Percentage2: | 45.85% |
| Mayor |
| Before Election: | Frank Cownie |
| Before Party: | Democratic |
| After Election: | Connie Boesen |
| After Party: | Democratic |
| Map Size: | 200px |
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]
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
Declared
- 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
External links
- Official campaign websites
Notes and References
- News: September 21, 2023 . . Clayworth . Jason . September 21, 2023 . After 20 years, Des Moines' mayor won't seek re-election.
- News: January 9, 2024 . January 8, 2024 . . Lathers . Addison . Barreda . Virginia. Des Moines swears in first woman mayor: 'Everything can be possible'.
- Web site: At-large City Council member Connie Boesen announces bid for Des Moines mayor . April 10, 2023 . March 20, 2023 . . Barreda, Virginia . en-US.
- Web site: Connie Boesen for Des Moines City Council — ActBlue .
- News: Des Moines activist, cosmetologist Denver Foote announces run for mayor . 7 February 2023 . . Barreda, Virginia.
- Web site: Denver Foote for Des Moines Mayor — ActBlue.
- News: Des Moines City Council member Josh Mandelbaum is running for mayor . . February 1, 2023 . Thompson, Chad.
- Web site: Josh Mandelbaum for Des Moines City Council — ActBlue.
- News: . September 22, 2023 . Who is on the ballot for Des Moines' Nov. 7 election?. Searles . Dana . September 21, 2023 .
- News: Barreda, Virginia . November 6, 2023 . . Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie announces endorsement for a mayoral candidate. November 3, 2023 .
