DES MOINES, Iowa — In just a month and a half, Des Moines residents will head to the polls again for a special election.
The election was scheduled for March 19 on Friday, after the Des Moines City Council voted unanimously to hold a special election to fill the vacant at-large council seat. Mayor Connie Boesen previously held the title, but she vacated the seat when she was sworn in as mayor.
As of Friday night, two candidates have publicly declared their runs for the seat. Read on to learn more about the candidates.
Mike Simonson
Mike Simonson officially launched his campaign for the at-large city council seat on Tuesday, just a day after the city council decided to hold a special election.
Simonson owns and operates Simonson and Associates Architects, which operates in more than 20 states, according to his campaign website.
Beyond his work as a small business owner, Simonson served on the Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission for 12 years and has served on the boards of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Des Moines Art Museum and Hoyt Sherman Place.
If elected to the at-large seat, Simonson says his goals are to improve affordable housing, invest in public safety and prioritize fiscal responsibility.
“What makes it great, it's a very open community. You can get to know anybody. If you want to make a difference, you can do it. So that's why I’m here in Des Moines. Why am I running? I see opportunity,” Simonson told Local 5.
Justyn Lewis
Justyn Lewis is a community activist and small business owner running for the at-large city council seat.
A long time central Iowa resident, Lewis graduated from East High School and Iowa State University. He is the owner of Lewis Lawn & Labor. In addition, Lewis is a public speaker who covers topics including unconscious bias, racial reconciliation and anti-racism.
Lewis is running on a platform of "breaking barriers [and] building bridges". If elected to the Des Moines City Council, Lewis plans to focus on restorative justice, eliminating food deserts and housing stability.
"There's room to grow here in Iowa and there's space for everyone, so we need to start making policies that are inviting for people that look like us," Lewis said in his campaign announcement video.
Lewis is no stranger to running for office in Des Moines. In fact, Lewis ran against now Mayor Connie Boesen for the at-large seat in 2021.