Szopinski Wins Ames City Council's Fourth Ward with 53 Percent of the Vote

Victoria Szopinski, 55, who will become the newest member, said she knew Tuesday's runoff race for the Fourth Ward would be a close one.

She defeated Chuck Jons, 71, on Tuesday with 53 percent of the vote. There were no write-in votes.

Szopinski received 440 votes and Jons received 397, According to unofficial results from the Story County Auditor's Office.

As news broke that Szopinski had won, her home filled with people who wanted to celebrate.

Szopinski, a community volunteer and the former director of conference services at , said she was humbled by how many people came to congratulate her.

She said the win came after a lot of work by a lot of people.

“Now I have to do the job,” she said.

Jons, a retired physician, called Szopinski after learning she had won to congratulate her.

“I had great support from people, but I didn't win. I wish Victoria well in her new position,” Jons said.

Jons, who has served on many community boards, said he wouldn't run for an elected office again.

“This was a one-time deal,” he said. “There are things I enjoy better than this.”

The incumbent for the 4th Ward, Riad Mahayni, opted not to run for the position. Szopinski will take office in January, when the council will begin its budget review.

“I've got a lot of homework to attend to,” Szopinski said.