1997 Des Moines mayoral special election

Des Moines mayoral special election, 1997

October 7, 1997 (first round) November 4, 1997 (runoff)

Candidate Preston Daniels Jim Cownie Party Democratic Nonpartisan Popular vote 20,659 17,394 Percentage 54.14% 45.58%

Mayor before election Robert D. Ray (interim) Republican Elected mayor Preston Daniels Democratic

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.

Results

First round

First round results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Preston Daniels	5,294	58.04
	Nonpartisan	Jim Cownie	3,618	39.66
	Nonpartisan	Thomas Alter	169	1.85
	Write-in		41	0.45
Total votes			9,122

Runoff

Runoff results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Cownie	20,659	54.14
	Nonpartisan	Jim Cownie	17,394	45.58
	Write-in		107	0.28
Total votes			36,350
	Democratic gain from Republican