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Re-elect
John Edwards
Clive Mayor

4 years as Mayor
26 years on the Clive City Council
20 years as Mayor Pro-Tem


I would be honored to continue serving as your Mayor. 

Successful Leadership

Successful Leadership

Thanks to the efforts of council and staff, Clive, Iowa has had great success. As part of that collaborative effort, I am especially proud to have contributed to:

 

  • Creation of the Clive Library

  • Maintaining one of the lowest property tax rates in the metro while continuing to deliver high quality services

  • Development guidance for Clive’s parks, starting with Campbell Park

  • Clive’s recognized leadership in the metro, including reelection as the longest-serving chair of the Metro Advisory Council, twice serving as chair of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and now vice-chair of Central Iowa Water Works.

  • Sound fiscal management policies which have been recognized by a AAA bond rating

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Commitment
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Focus on Quality of Life
 

“Clive residents believe our city is one of the best places to live, work, and play. Improvements over the past four years have only reinforced that image,” John said. “I am especially proud of what we have accomplished, especially in reinforcing a commitment to civility.”

Community Involvement
Commitment to Clive

Continued Commitment to Clive

With your vote on November 4,
John will continue his work as Mayor to advocate for:

​

  • Insuring Clive continues to be a premiere community
    to work, live, and play

  • Increasing resources for improving streets and infrastructure

  • Ongoing investments in our parks and Greenbelt

  • Continuing Clive’s lowered property tax levy rate

  • Expanding opportunities for regional collaboration

  • Solid short- and long-term financial planning, as recognized in Clive’s triple-A bond rating

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Leadership and Experience

Leadership and Experience

As the longest-serving elected official in Polk County, John has a reputation for visioning, problem-solving, and collaboration. Thanks to his experience in the community, he has been in a position to serve and lead regional entities that service and benefit Clive residents and businesses. For example, as a member of a regional transportation funding committee (MPO’s STP), he helped recommend the allocation of millions of dollars for the metro, including Clive. Throughout his tenure, he has been called upon by the press to speak on issues related to Clive and the Metro area. He also had the longest tenure as chair of the Metro Advisory Council.

Regional Leadership

  • Central Iowa Water Works, Vice-Chair, 2024-date

  • Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), 2007-2018
    Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funding Subcommittee, 2011-date.

  • Metro Advisory Council (MAC), 2005-date; chair 2018-2021.

  • Metro Waste Authority Board of Directors, 2018-date.

  • Election Recount Board (46,000+ votes), Iowa Senate District 22, Dallas and Polk Counties, November 2020.

  • Des Moines Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Trustees

  • Secretary/Treasurer 1996, 2001; Vice-Chair 2002; Chair 1997-98 & 2003-04;

  • member 1996-2007.

  • West Des Moines School Bond Referendum Committee, 1990.

Service to the Community

  • Iowa Supreme Court Commission on Planning for the 21st Century, 1995-96.

  • State Law Library Advisory Committee, 1991-92.

  • Electronic Research Committee, Iowa State Bar Association, 1984-91.

  • Crestview Parent-Teacher Council, Co-Chair, 1988-89.

  • West Des Moines School Bond Referendum Committee, 1990.

  • ​Boy Scouts Troop 208, Committee Chair, 1994-98.

  • Westminster Presbyterian Church: Board of Trustees, Congregation President, Curriculum Review Committee, Elder, Mission Study Team, Nominating Committee, Personnel Committee Chair, Stewardship Committee Chair, Sunday School Teacher,Treasurer, Worship Audio-Video Technician, Coed Softball Team Coach/Manager.

  • Des Moines Presbytery Pulpit Supply, since 2012, substitute minister and worship leader

  • St. John's Lutheran Church, Audio Visual Technician, 2015-2022.

Personal and Professional

John is Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Information Resources and Technology, and Director of the Law Library at Drake University Law School. He has lived in Clive since 1984 when his position at Drake brought him to the Des Moines metro. John and his wife Beth Ann have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Education

  • University of Missouri-Columbia, M.A.L.S.

  • University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, J.D.

  • Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, B.A.

Local Honors

  • Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Clive, 2019.

  • Presidential Award, Drake Student Bar Association, 1987, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020.

  • Friend of The Journal, Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, 2004, 2018, 2020, 2021.

  • Friend of The Drake Law Review, 2012, 2017, 2024.

  • Outstanding Volunteer, West Des Moines Community School District, Crestview Elementary School, 1989-90.

National Award

AALL Hall of Fame, inducted 2021.

Des Moines Register Op-Eds

Vote Nov. 4
 
Re-elect
John Edwards,
 Mayor for Clive, Iowa
 

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Connect with John

Reach Out to Mayor John Edwards

For inquiries or to learn more about John's initiatives, feel free to get in touch at edwardsforclive@gmail.com

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