Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell announced Monday she will seek a second term, citing economic momentum, infrastructure progress and continued growth during her time in office.
“When we believe in our city, and in each other, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish,” Ms. O’Donnell said in a statement. “We’ve gone from hopeful to unstoppable and we’re just getting started.”
Since taking office in 2022, Ms. O’Donnell has led a range of initiatives across the city. Her administration has highlighted several milestones, including:
- Economic Development: Capital investment from companies such as Sub-Zero, Google, and QTS, along with expansions by Lil’ Drug Store Products, Altorfer and IFF.
- Regional Workforce Strategy: Launch of the Collaborative Growth Initiative to align cities across the region on attracting and retaining workforce talent.
- Flood Protection: Construction of more than 20% of the city’s permanent flood protection system, supported by more than $236 million in federal and state funding.
- Infrastructure: Doubling the pace of the Paving for Progress program to improve city roads.
- Downtown and Riverfront Revitalization: Securing Vision Iowa funding and national partnerships to advance core redevelopment.
- Casino Development: Securing the Cedar Crossing casino and entertainment project, a $275 million development expected to create jobs, increase tourism and generate nonprofit funding.
Ms. O’Donnell, a Bettendorf High School graduate and former Emmy Award-winning news anchor, has served as CEO of Women Lead Change since 2015. She describes herself as an “outsider on the inside” and credits her varied background — from winning Miss Iowa in 1988 to working in TV news and nonprofit leadership — as shaping her approach to public service. She won the 2021 mayoral election in a runoff and has since prioritized workforce, economic development and collaborative governance.
Ms. O’Donnell was named Most Influential Leader in the Corridor by the CBJ in 2024.
If re-elected, Ms. O’Donnell said her priorities will include expanding housing options, activating the riverfront and greenway, growing the city’s population and workforce, and investing in infrastructure and neighborhood services.
“Cedar Rapids is proving what’s possible when a city believes in itself,” she said. “Let’s keep going. Let’s keep building. Let’s keep betting on Cedar Rapids, together.”
