John Haila will be Ames' next mayor. The political newcomer beat former City Council member Victoria Szopinski 58 to 42 precent. He replaces long-time mayor Ann Campbell, who announced earlier this year that she would not seek a fourth term.
Ames will have a new Third Ward City Council member. David Martin defeated Rob Bowers in a close race--52 to 48 percent. He replaces Council Member Peter Orazem, who announced earlier this year he would not seek another term.
Two other uncontested Ames City Council races saw incumbent members reelected handily. First Ward Council Member Gloria Betcher got 98 percent of the vote, while At-large Council Member Amber Corrieri got 97 percent.
In the city's other election, there wiill be a new member of the Mary Greeley Medical Center Board of Trustees. Newcomer Beth Swenson got 32 percent of the vote in a three-way race. She'll replace incumbent Pamela White, who got 28 percent. Incumbent Mary Kitchell was the top vote-getter with nearly 39 percent.
18 percent of Ames voters cast ballots in city elections--just over the 15 percent average.