INSIDE ◾BLACK◾ IOWA
Subscribe
Cover photo

Black Iowa candidates: What you need to know before the election

Are you ready to vote on Nov. 2?

Black Iowa News

Oct 20, 2021
2

The regular city and school election is less than two weeks away. A surprisingly large number of Black candidates are vying for seats — some amid hotly contested races about diversity and equity, policing and more. The election will be held on Nov. 2. Here's what you need to know to cast your vote.

Iowans will elect mayors and city council and school board members, plus make their preferences known on a variety of other measures.

More than three dozen Black candidates are running this year, and at least three Black mayors are up for reelection:

  • Quentin Hart, Waterloo

  • Bruce Teague, Iowa City

  • Joseph May, Estherville (uncontested)

  • Amara Andrews, Cedar Rapids

  • Athena Gilbraith, Davenport

  • Sophia Mays, Waterloo

  • Mike Mbanza, North Liberty

  • Michael Moore, Ankeny

Black Iowa News has compiled a list of the candidates, which contains a link to their social media pages and their photos.

The election be held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Absentee ballots must be received in county auditors’ offices by 8 p.m. that day.

Visit your county auditor's website for more information about where to vote and to view sample ballots.

  • Polk County Auditor (Metro Des Moines)

  • Black Hawk County Auditor (Waterloo)

  • Johnson County Auditor (Iowa City, North Liberty, etc.)

  • Dubuque County Auditor (Dubuque)

  • Linn County Auditor (Cedar Rapids)

  • Scott County Auditor (Davenport)

Do you know where to vote? Want to see a sample ballot for your city? You can find this information on your county auditor’s website. (See above list). More information can also be found at the Iowa Secretary of State’s Voter Ready site.

Concerns and dissent about diversity and equity, among other hot button topics like face mask mandates, have sparked contentious races. Here are some of the reasons Black mayoral candidates have stated they’re running for elected office, according to their campaign social media and websites:

  • Andrews, who is running for mayor in Cedar Rapids, states: “I will bring the lived experience of someone who has had to work hard for everything.”

  • Moore, who is running for mayor in Ankeny, states: “Moore for Ankeny means just that; "Moore" unity, "Moore" community, "Moore" inclusion and "Moore" diversity. All of these concepts will continue to help our community thrive.”

  • Gilbraith, who is running for mayor in Davenport, states: “We need lasting change for Davenport. We cannot keep electing the same type of people over and over again, expecting different results.”

  • Mays, who is running for mayor in Waterloo, states: “My platform is yes, I am African American, and we should be further along than this, and a change is needed. We can do better than what we have now!”

  • Mbanza, running for mayor in North Liberty, states: “There's not enough diversity in our police department, city services, city government, local schools.”

Learn more about the city and school board candidates.

Black Iowa News Black Candidate List

Iowa's first Black Democratic Chair Ross Wilburn received racist threats, which included a reference to lynching, after he wrote an opinion piece in the Des Moines Register about former president Donald Trump just before Trump's recent rally in Des Moines, the Register reported.

Speaking of that rally. Watch this. 👀

Subscribe to Black Iowa News

Subscribe to INSIDE ◾BLACK◾ IOWA
By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with Black Iowa News to receive their original content, including promotions. Unsubscribe at any time. Meta will also use your information subject to the Bulletin Terms and Policies
2

More from INSIDE ◾BLACK◾ IOWA
See all

Black Iowa health coach and podcaster to host national conference 'My City My Health' to improve racial equity in health care

National health conference held in Des Moines in November will convene health experts and community leaders to seek better ways to assist underserved patients.
May 9
2

Mary Madison, Iowa House District 31 candidate, wants to 'be the voice that truly represents working families of Iowa'

Black Iowa News is providing a platform for Black candidates to go in-depth about the issues they're passionate about.
May 17

Consumers want to know: Supply chain disruption or just plain price gouging?

I don't want to pay more at the pump, at the grocery store or at my favorite pizza place.
May 15
1
Comments
Log in with Facebook to comment

2 Comments

  • Alan Murdock
    Black Lives Matter is having an ongoing impact in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After the Advocates for Social Justice, a BLM influenced nonprofit was successful in *finally* getting a police review board, founding member, Tamara Marcus is running for City Counc…
    See more
    2
    • 30w
    • Author
      Black Iowa News
      Thanks for the background. That’s fantastic.
      • 30w
Share quoteSelect how you’d like to share below
Share on Facebook
Share to Twitter
Send in Whatsapp
Share on Linkedin
Privacy  ·  Terms  ·  Cookies  ·  © Meta 2022
Discover fresh voices. Tune into new conversations. Browse all publications