3 Des Moines City Council members announce surprise endorsement for mayor
In a rare move, three current Des Moines City Council members are throwing their support behind their council colleague and mayoral candidate Connie Boesen.
In a joint statement released by Boesen's campaign Tuesday, at-large council member Carl Voss and council members Linda Westergaard and Joe Gatto announced their endorsements for at-large council member Boesen over her main opponent and Ward 3 council member, Josh Mandelbaum, mere weeks ahead of the mayoral election on Nov. 7.
Also in the running for the mayor's office are activist and cosmetologist Denver Foote and musician Chris W. Von Arx.
Mandelbaum and Boesen, who were both elected to serve on the City Council in 2017, announced their campaigns in February and March, respectively. Longtime Mayor Frank Cownie has decided not to run for reelection and has not endorsed a candidate.
In the statement, Boesen said she was "honored" to have the support from her colleagues on the council.
"As a city councilor, small business owner, and former school board member I know that we have a lot to do to keep our city heading in the right direction," Boesen said in the statement. "That’s why I have a plan to create a safer Des Moines, boost our local economy, advocate for our public schools, and revitalize our neighborhoods. Together, I know we can bring people together to find solutions and keep Des Moines heading in the right direction."
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Christine Hensley, who served on the Des Moines City Council for 24 years and retired in 2017, said council members endorsing their colleagues is "very unusual." Hensley went face to face with her own then-council colleague, Cownie, in the 2003 mayoral election.
She said council members may quietly support someone running for election but are typically "cautious" about public support or endorsements. Hensley told the Register she also is endorsing Boesen.
In a statement sent to the Register on Tuesday, Mandelbaum said that changing the status quo is necessary, but can be uncomfortable. His council colleagues, he said, have been "slow to embrace the change."
"It’s time for a new generation of leadership that understands the urgency of protecting our rights, standing up for our schools, and addressing climate change," Mandelbaum wrote. "If we don’t take on the tough issues and do everything we can, we can’t create a community that works for everyone."
Why 3 Des Moines City Council members say they're endorsing Boesen
Voss, who's been running his own reelection campaign for his at-large seat, has been carrying a miniature cloth Swiss flag for the better part of the year. Until recently, he's shown the flag — a symbol of his neutrality — to any community member who's asked him who they should vote for in the mayoral election (which can be two or three times a day), he told the Register.
But Voss says he can no longer stay neutral, specifically between candidates Boesen and Mandelbaum. He and Westergaard told the Register last week that Mandelbaum's tendency to get the city involved in state and national politics is what swayed their decision to publicly declare a side.
Mandelbaum, who has repeatedly advocated for the city to voice its stance on broader statewide issues such as marijuana enforcement and reproductive rights, has said it's precisely these stances that make him the best choice for mayor.
Boesen has said these types of issues are better left to state or federal representatives and are not in the city's purview. Voss and Westergaard agree.
"There's a lot that is not in our lane: abortion, sanctuary cities, transportation of someone seeking abortion out of the state, marijuana," Voss told the Register last week. "We only deal with on-the-agenda items that we have influence on: police, fire, street repair, libraries, parks and rec. That's our game."
Westergaard told the Register that while she has her own opinions about state or national issues such as abortion rights, it's not something that the council should be discussing.
"I represent one-fourth of the residents of the city," Westergaard said. "Not one neighborhood meeting has it ever been asked to me, 'Well, how do you feel about abortion?' or 'How do you feel about the immigrants?' What I'm asked is, 'How are my roads, streets? What are you going to do to provide housing? What are you going to do to give me services? Is my garbage going to be collected at the right time?' City issues."
Gatto did not say what issues prompted him to take a stance but told the Register he believes Boesen is the best person for the job.
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"I've worked with both of them," Gatto said about Boesen and Mandelbaum. "Connie's the right person at the right time for Des Moines. She's a problem-solver, loves the city and the people to her core. And you know, we're probably long overdue for a woman to lead our community."
Election Day is Nov. 7. Early voting begins Wednesday.
Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect Christine Hensley's endorsement of Connie Boesen for Des Moines mayor.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Three Des Moines City Council members endorse Connie Boesen for mayor
