Seven want to fill vacancy left by Sheumaker
Position open after council member resigned
Following the resignation of former Des Moines City Council member Indira Sheumaker, seven candidates are vying for the Ward 1 seat in a special election, including Rob Barron, Chris Coleman, Kathy Hellstern, Dennis McCullough, RJ Miller, Rose Marie Smith and Kimberley Strope-Boggus.
The Des Moines Register asked each candidate to respond to questions on why they’re running and the issues facing the city’s northwest side. Their answers may be lightly edited for clarity or length.
The special election will be held Nov. 7.
Rob Barron
AGE: 44 GREW UP: Des Moines CURRENT HOME:
Des Moines
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in political science, Grinnell College POLITICAL EXPERI
ENCE: Des Moines School Board, 2013-2021 (vice chair 2014-2015 and 2020-2021); founder, Latino Political Network; board member, United Way of Central Iowa, 2017-present; and board member Polk County Early Childhood Iowa, 2017-present.
Chris Coleman
AGE: Did not provide GREW UP: Beaverdale, Prospect Park, Lower Beaver neighborhoods, Des Moines CURRENT HOME:
Beaverdale neighborhood, Des Moines EDUCATION: Studied theology and psychology at St. Ambrose University
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Founding member, Beaverdale Neighborhood Association; former officer, Beaverdale Neighborhood Association; past chair, Des Moines Council Personnel Committee; past chair, Des Moines Region Homeless Coordinate Council; past chair, Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization; past chair, Des Moines Metro Waste Authority; past chair, Catch Des Moines; East Village Planning Committee, 1999; Downtown Des Moines Housing and Entertainment Committee; past, At-Large Des Moines City Council, retired 2019
Kathy Hellstern
AGE: 48
GREW UP: Mostly in the Midwest. My father was in the Air Force, so we moved. I graduated from high school in a suburb of Wichita, Kansas. CURRENT HOME:
River Bend neighborhood, Des Moines EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in both mass communication and theatre, Baker University
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None. I have volunteered on the River Bend Neighborhood Association Board for three years.
Dennis McCullough
AGE: GREW 45
UP: Des
Moines CURRENT HOME:
Des Moines EDUCATION: Grand
View University POLITICAL EXPERI
ENCE: Candidate for Iowa House District 35 in 2022
RJ Miller
AGE: Did not provide GREW UP:
Minnesota and Iowa CURRENT HOME:
Des Moines EDUCATION: Some college POLITICAL EXPERI
ENCE: Candidate for Iowa House of Representatives District 34; campaign volunteer for Vice President Kamala Harris; political outreach and volunteer for Get out the Black vote organization
Rose Marie Smith
AGE: Did not provide GREW UP: Des
Moines CURRENT HOME:
Des Moines
EDUCATION: Computer programming, DMAAC POLITICAL EXPERI
ENCE: Delegate at county convention; delegate to state convention for 2008 presidential nominees Barack Obama and Joe Biden and 2020 nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris; campaigned locally for Chet Clover
Kimberley Strope-Boggus
AGE: 44 GREW UP: California and Iowa CURRENT HOME:
Des Moines EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Iowa State University POLITICAL EXPERI
ENCE: Parks Area Foundation board member; Beaverdale Fall Festival board member; former board member of Parks and Recreation; co-founder of Northwest Des Moines Democrats
Why are you running?
Rob Barron: I’m running to bring a mix of representation and experience to city government that is sorely needed. Our council lacks the viewpoint of any people of color, even though we live in Iowa’s most diverse city. I would be the first Latino elected to the council. I have the track record to do the job on Day 1. I served on the Des Moines School Board for eight years, including throughout the pandemic. I’m the only candidate in this field that brings that mix of underrepresented perspective and experience.
Chris Coleman: I love Des Moines. It’s done so much for me. I want to contribute a fresh perspective to its future; a perspective grounded in a proven track record of hard work, innovation and leadership. The story of my life can be traced through the neighborhoods of Ward 1. I am excited for this opportunity to serve the amazing neighborhoods in which I was born, educated, raised a family, worship, and now work and live. The city needs a healthy dose of common sense and I know I can deliver. I’ll work hard. I treat everyone fairly. I’ll communicate. I’ll deliver results.
Kathy Hellstern: I am running because, as a neighborhood leader, I’ve been in the neighborhoods in Ward 1 over the last several years having conversations with neighbors. I believe I can advocate well for Ward 1 neighbors at the city level. I want to sit down with neighbors to listen to their needs and then consider those needs when decisions are being made. I want to stay in touch and communicate with them about what’s happening at the city level. I think it would be good for a voice to come from a part of the ward that frequently doesn’t feel heard.
Dennis McCullough: I wish to improve life for everyone in Ward 1.
RJ Miller: I’m running to give a voice to the marginalized neighborhoods within Ward 1 who have been neglected, underserved, and unheard. I have seen the suffering of the people by way of violence, homelessness, drugs, poverty, hopelessness, and despair so I will be fighting to address these issues by pushing for lower property taxes, safer neighborhoods, drivable roads, and lowering the priority of marijuana with law enforcement. But I also equally want all neighborhoods in Ward 1 to have representation and equal access to resources and support regardless of one’s ZIP code.
Rose Marie Smith: Homelessness.
Kimberley Strope-Boggus: My Ward 1 neighbors deserve a member of City Council who shows up and gets things done. My wife and I chose to raise our children here. For us, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not simply talking points, they’re our way of life. We are raising our children here in the hopes that Des Moines will remain a welcoming city for future generations. I’ve been present in Ward 1, and I want to bring my vision of responsible growth, affordability, and sustainability to Des Moines City Council. We need to elect leaders that reflect the diversity of our beautiful city.
What is the biggest issue facing your community and how would you address it?
Rob Barron: Families need hope that this is the community where they can set down roots. For some, that means that we need to address basic needs like affordable housing and child care. For others, it means living in a dynamic city with a council that reflects that dynamism, eager to try new ideas to solve generational problems.
Chris Coleman: We have a number of big issues right now from safety to affordability to infrastructure and more. In Ward 1, we are on the cusp of a significant development boom that is critical. We have a long list of large properties that need strong advocacy to bring them forward. I have the business and community experience to go toe-to-toe with developers to make sure that the development is good for the current residents, as well as the existing businesses. If we do these wrong, our neighborhoods will suffer for a generation. I’ll sweat the details. I won’t let you down.
Kathy Hellstern: Currently, the biggest issue facing the Ward 1 community is representation. We’ve just been through something difficult and we are ready to return to having the same representation as other wards. I am willing to be accessible to my neighbors. I will answer the phone and respond to emails. I will attend meetings and make time to have conversations with neighbors and neighborhood groups. I look forward to having these conversations and acting as a conduit to the city for my neighbors. I am already advocating for Ward 1 neighbors and want to do it on a larger scale. Dennis McCullough: My major goal is trying to get a grocery store and more grocery options for Ward 1. RJ Miller: The biggest issue in the more marginalized neighborhoods is lack of resources. I would address it by being more preventative vs reactive. Bringing in good jobs can help those who are in poverty, building strong partnerships with mental health institutions and substance abuse institutions and creating a public safety system that works for everyone. Creating fresh ideas to approach violence by getting to the root cause and by using a three-tier system, a de-escalation team consisting of community ex-gang members or people who live in marginalized neighborhoods, a victim advocacy team to support victims, and a support team to offer referrals on jobs, education, therapy. Rose Marie Smith: Homelessness. Mayor-elect, Ward 1-elect, Ward 2, Ward 3 and Ward 4. Let work together to eliminate homelessness. This is not an issue to separate us. This is a position of trust we must extend to children, mothers, fathers, grandparents, great-grandparents and veterans of our communities. Kimberley Strope-Boggus: For context: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/desmoines/2021/11/23/gun-violence-injuries-spike-des-moines-worried-leaders-vow-action/8639231002/ As a wife and mother of four, like many families in Des Moines, my top concern is the safety and well-being of my friends, family, and neighbors. Gun violence remains on the rise in Des Moines, especially when these weapons fall into the hands of those suffering from mental illness. Like many of my neighbors, I know people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the rise in gun injuries. On City Council, I will work with community leaders, law enforcement, and stakeholders to help families and teachers recognize the warning signs before violence happens.
How would you work with community leaders, developers and stakeholders to improve access to affordable housing in Des Moines?
Rob Barron: I learned at a recent United Way board meeting that in Polk County we have a gap of more than 11,000 housing units and that will continue to grow as the population increases. We need an “all of the above” strategy for solutions and partners to make the progress we need. I would enter the council with strong connections to local funders and community organizations. Our work has to happen neighborhood by neighborhood with creativity and sensitivity to the needs and aspirations of residents.
Chris Coleman: I have always prioritized affordable housing for families and those struggling to make ends meet. I always will. I believe our city can do more to make this a reality, and you can count on me to support this important issue. I have a fresh perspective on what works and what doesn’t. When we invest in our current neighborhoods and improve run-down houses, we not only create affordable housing, but we improve the area for the neighbors who are paying taxes and trying to make it strong. I’ll lead a new era of sustainable, dignified affordable housing that improves neighborhoods.
Kathy Hellstern: Access to affordable housing must happen at different levels. I will support, with funding and zoning considerations, multi-family developments that assist neighbors in low- and mid-points of our area median income; especially if these developments promote community building and help neighbors achieve better credit to continue to attain housing that fits their needs. I will continue to help develop and expand the city-supported Community Land Trust project to help those who are ready to own a home afford to do so. I will support the ION Program, which helps neighbors maintain their homes and keep them livable while stabilizing neighborhoods.
Dennis McCullough: It would be great if this wasn’t an issue. People need housing; however, everything is unaffordable anymore and the prices keep going up. I think it is time to look at how things are being done instead of starting a new project.
RJ Miller: I would partner with our current affordable housing programs and community leaders, nonprofits, and churches, create community forums to make sure the information is going to those who need it. Outreach and organizing is needed.
Rose Marie Smith: We must work together to create affordable housing and integrated health care, build career pathways, develop education connections, strengthen the crisis response system and reduce criminal justice involvement. Last but not least, we should build partnerships between the homeless stakeholders, developers and community leaders. The average age of homeless community members is 37 to 46. Their immediate needs are shelter, food and clothing.
Kimberley Strope-Boggus: One of my top priorities on the City Council will be to push for thoughtful development that puts people first and attracts families and small businesses to Des Moines instead of losing out to the suburbs. Our neighborhoods should not only be affordable but also safe and nurturing so our children can feel safe and families can have a peace of mind. I will be a strong advocate for affordable housing, including wraparound services and dignity for the city’s unhoused population. This is a complex issue that needs to be addressed by leaders, stakeholders, and developers together in collaboration.
How do you envision the future of public safety in the city and would you support a citizens’ review board that would provide some oversight to the Des Moines Police Department?
Rob Barron: If it is done fairly, oversight helps us all thrive. I’m open to the concept of civilian review. But I think we miss the point if we just focus on that one remedy to the problem of lack of trust and meaningful connection between some community members and the police. Over the last three years, the public has become aware of present and historic misjustice in this country. Being a cop is also harder now, which makes it harder to hire police to build deeper connections within neighborhoods. The community would be wellserved by some new voices on the council that can speak to both sides to bridge the gap. Chris Coleman: The future of public safety is about partnerships. The progress made by our police, working with Broadlawns and Polk County on crisis and mental health, is an inspiring example for the future. I will continue to support partnerships that help our most vulnerable citizens and neighborhoods; programs that will allow our officers time to deal with our critical safety issues. I will work to support a humble, well-trained, diverse, and accountable police force. We have an amazing group of officers who are on the street protecting us each day and I fully support their commitment to keeping our community safe. Kathy Hellstern: In my vision, Des Moines is a city where the basic needs of residents are met, reducing crime. A city where mental health needs are addressed over the long term, in a compassionate way. We support the CARES team and our violence interrupters to reduce the need for police interactions. We take care of housing needs and further reduce the need for police interventions in our neighborhoods. All city departments should be held accountable. There are already citizen commissions that make recommendations to the City Council, a commission on department accountability could help ensure all communities are treated equitably.