Three Des Moines City Council members consider mayoral bid

At least three Des Moines City Council members are considering a run for mayor this year, they tell Axios.

Driving the news: Frank Cownie — the longest-serving mayor in DSM's history — might seek a sixth term.

• Council members Connie Boesen and Josh Mandelbaum are also possible contenders.

Flashback: Voters promoted Cownie from his council seat in 2003, when he defeated former Council member Christine Hensley.

• He narrowly won re-election in a runoff against former state senator Jack Hatch in Dec. 2019.

State of play: Council members Joe Gatto, Linda Westergaard and Carl Voss's terms expire at the end of the year, meaning six of Des Moines' seven council members could face voters in 2023.

• Mandelbaum and Boesen could remain on the council even if their possible bids for mayor flunk.
• They were re-elected to their current seats in Nov. 2021 and their current terms don't expire until the end of 2025.

Of note: At Cownie's recommendation, the council this month appointed Boesen as mayor pro tem — the person who assumes duties when the mayor is absent.

• Mandelbaum held that spot last year.