Ripples but no wave in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area 2021 school and city elections

Local voters put few dents in the status quo during Tuesday’s city and school elections.

Yes, there is some ongoing drama in the Cedar Rapids mayoral race. Tiffany O’Donnell was the top vote-getter but failed to win 50-percent-plus-one majority, so the race is headed to a Nov. 30 runoff election. Amara Andrews edged Mayor Brad Hart for the second spot by just 24 votes, pending a recount.

But we doubt City Council approaches to issues such as housing, economic development and public safety would change dramatically with O’Donnell in the mayor’s seat. So her support is an indication Cedar Rapids voters prefer the city’s current general direction.

Incumbent Dale Todd was reelected to the Cedar Rapids council, fending off a challenge from political newcomer Tamara Marcus. We hope Marcus, who is a climate scientist, will remain involved in local politics. The local-option sales tax for street projects in Cedar Rapids was renewed, as was Linn County’s effort to win a casino license.

Iowa City voters reelected Mayor Bruce Teague and elected Megan Alter to the City Council, choosing the sort of progressive candidates who have dominated city politics for years. Jason Glass, who billed himself as an independent fell short. We also hope he continues to speak out on local issues.

Although school board races in other parts of Iowa were steered by national political issues and outside dollars, Cedar Rapids voters reelected incumbents Nancy Humbles and Jennifer Borcherding. Marcy Roundtree, who has worked and volunteered or years in local schools, won the at-large seat.

But one candidate motivated by his opposition to mask mandates in schools, Matt Rollinger, won a seat on the Linn-Mar School board. Also in Marion, Dale Monroe holds a one-vote lead over City Council incumbent Randy Srnad, pending a recount. Yet more evidence that every vote counts.

We endorsed many of these incumbents, but not because we want them to be complacent. Higher than normal turnout indicates there is considerable public interest in how communities and community schools are being governed. Our leaders need to harness that interest and reward it with more transparency and responsiveness. School boards, especially, need to do more to involve parents in decision making.

We also hope after a mayoral campaign in Cedar Rapids tinged in partisan attacks we see a runoff campaign that brings the focus back to issues residents care about.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com