Iowa City attorney to run for council

IOWA CITY - Iowa City attorney Rockne Cole has announced his candidacy for the Iowa City Council in this November election.

Cole will formally announce his candidacy for an at-large seat on the council at noon Friday in the Iowa City Public Library's meeting room A, according to a Tuesday media release.

'Iowa City is experiencing a period of dynamic economic transformation. This campaign will be about continuing that growth without compromising what makes Iowa City such a special place to live, work and grow. We also have to ensure that our entire community has a voice in how this growth occurs,” Cole said in the release.

Cole, a 2000 graduate of the University of Iowa Law School, has been an Iowa City resident for 18 years and has been vocal in recent years against the city's use of Tax Increment Financing to fund large-scale development projects.

He has also spoken out in support of a local food truck pilot program and most recently has represented the tenants of the two remaining Dubuque Street cottages, which have made headlines in recent months as city staff, residents, developers and the property owner have picked sides on whether or not the buildings are historic and should be saved from demolition.

Cole ran for council as a progressive in 2013, but lost out - to current councilors Kingsley Botchway and Susan Mims - with 3,618 votes, or 33 percent. Local business owner Catherine Champion also ran in that election, but her 4,122 votes weren't enough to take a seat.

At-large city council Member Michelle Payne and Mayor Matt Hayek, also an at-large representative, have terms ending at the close to this year.

Seats for council members Rick Dobyns, District A, and Jim Throgmorton, District C, also will be up for re-election this November.