Jons and Szopinski Will Compete for Ames City Council 4th Ward in December

and ran neck in neck for the three-way race for the Ames City Council Ward 4 seat Tuesday and will now compete in a run-off election Dec. 6.

Jons, a retired physician, received 42.4 percent of the vote, and Szopinski, a former conference services director at Iowa State University, received 41.9 percent, according to unofficial returns. 

came it at a distant third, with 15.4 percent of the vote. Riad Mahayni, the current holder of the seat, opted not to run. 

“I didn't expect it to be over,” Jons said adding that all candidates had something to offer.

Szopinski said she was excited over the turnout.

“I had a lot of support. It was a grass-roots movement,” she said.

The weeks leading up to the runoff election will give her time to meet all the people she hasn't met already, she said.

“I'm looking forward to another four weeks,” Szopinski said.

Jons said that he was humbled by all the accolades he had received through endorsements and .

"Most of those things you don't hear until a funeral," Jons said.

Jami Larson, an incumbent for ward 2 and Matthew Goodman, Ames City Council at-large, ran unopposed and were declared winners of their seats Tuesday. Three hospital board of trustees were also elected Tuesday. Sarah Buck, Brad Heemstra and Kenneth D. McCuskey ran unopposed.

Unofficial Results

4th Ward

Chuck Jons: 381

Victoria Szopinski: 376

Frank Jeffrey: 138

Write-in Votes: 3

2nd Ward

Jami Larson: 1812

Write-in Votes: 50

At-Large

Matthew Goodman: 4,067

Write-in Votes: 168