DES MOINES, Iowa — The Tuesday, March 19 special election in Des Moines will bring in a new at-large city council person, putting the council back at full capacity.
There are five people currently vying for the open at-large seat left behind by Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen:
- Mike Simonson
- Justyn Lewis
- Rose Marie Smith
- Benjamin Clarke
- Claudia Addy
Mike Simonson is a local business owner who runs the architectural firm Simonson + Associates and was the first to announce his bid for council.
Along with his business experience, Simonson also has served in the public sector: He was on the Des Moines Planning and Zoning board for 12 years.
Simonson's goals for the seat are to improve affordable housing, invest in public safety and focus on neighborhood revitalization.
But when it comes to why he ran in the first place — Simonson said it comes back to Des Moines' culture.
"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," Simonson said. "So that's why I'm here in Des Moines. Why am I running? I see opportunity."
Justyn Lewis, a nonprofit president, is another local business owner who's thrown his hat in the ring.
The Iowa State grad has run for city council before and is currently sitting on a number of different boards in his hometown of Des Moines.
Lewis is running on a platform of justice reform, food insecurity, affordable housing and neighborhood improvements.
He told Local 5 as a city council person, he would want to represent all of Des Moines.
"We need people who are living life. I have two amazing children who are 6 and 4 in the Des Moines Public Schools," Lewis said. "I'm vested here, and wanted to see the community grow and blossom."
The final three candidates — Rose Marie Smith, Benjamin Clarke and Dr. Claudia Addy — all have some background running for public office as well.
Voters might remember their names from the most recent city election.
Back in November 2023, Smith ran for the Ward 1 council seat but lost to Chris Coleman.
Smith previously served on the Des Moines Housing Appeal Board and wants to solve homelessness, affordable housing and public safety issues in the city if elected, according to Smith's campaign Facebook page.
Benjamin Clarke filed to run for both mayor and Ward 4 in November's election, ultimately disqualifying him from either race.
Peter Zemansky, communications specialist for the city of Des Moines, told Local 5 that the nomination paperwork signed by all candidates read: “I know that I cannot be a candidate for more than one office to be filled at this election, except as otherwise provided by law.”
According to Clarke's LinkedIn page, he works with the Iowa Firm Foundation, a "hands-on learning environment that teaches traditional values" to children through art like dramas, plays and musicals.
Local doctor Claudia Addy has run for both the U.S. and Iowa House in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Addy is a lifelong Des Moines resident and Roosevelt High School graduate, according to her 2018 campaign page.
When voters arrive on Tuesday, there will be a sixth name on the ballot: Robert Pate.
On March 5, Pate announced on Local 5 that he'd decided to suspend his campaign, instead choosing to support Justyn Lewis.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voting locations are available on the Polk County website well before the election. To figure out which polling location you'll go to, visit the Secretary of State's website.
Early in-person voting in the Polk County Election Office ends on March 18 at 5 p.m.