2021 Dayton mayoral election

The 2021 Dayton mayoral election took place on November 8, 2021. Incumbent Mayor Nan Whaley declined to seek re-election to a third term, instead opting to unsuccessfully run for Governor in 2022.^[1] Three candidates ran to succeed her: City Commissioner Jeff Mims, retired firefighter Rennes Bowers, and former Mayor Gary Leitzell.

In the primary election, Mims placed first by a wide margin, winning 58 percent of the vote to Bowers's 26 percent and Leitzell's 16 percent.^[2] Mims and Bowers advanced to the general election, where Mims won in a landslide, receiving 67 percent of the vote.^[3]

Primary election

Candidates

Jeff Mims, City Commissioner^[4]
Rennes Bowers, retired city firefighter^[5]
Gary Leitzell, former Mayor^[6]

Results

Primary election results^[7]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Jeff Mims	4,914	58.43%
	Nonpartisan	Rennes Bowers	2,158	25.66%
	Nonpartisan	Gary Leitzell	1,338	15.91%
Total votes			8,410	100.00%

General election

Results

2021 Dayton mayoral election results^[8]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Jeff Mims	10,290	67.05%
	Nonpartisan	Rennes Bowers	5,056	32.95%
Total votes			15,346	100.00%

References

^ Bentley, Quinlan (January 7, 2021). "Dayton mayor says she isn't seeking re-election". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. 4A. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
^ Frolik, Cornelius (May 4, 2021). "Dayton mayor's race: Mims and Bowers win". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
^ Frolik, Cornelius (November 2, 2021). "Mims wins big in Dayton mayor race: 'I'm just beyond words'". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
^ "Dayton City Commissioner Jeff Mims announces run for mayor". WHIO-TV. January 11, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
^ Frolik, Cornelius (March 6, 2021). "12 hopefuls file for top city offices". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Dayton, Ohio. p. B1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
^ "3-way race for new Mayor of Dayton underway; Candidates speak on issues". WHIO-TV. April 11, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
^ "Election Summary Report - OFFICIAL SPECIAL ELECTION - May 4, 2021" (PDF). Montgomery County Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 22, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
^ "Summary Results Report - General Election 2021 - November 2, 2021" (PDF). Montgomery County Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 14, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[1] Bentley, Quinlan (January 7, 2021). "Dayton mayor says she isn't seeking re-election". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. 4A. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[2] Frolik, Cornelius (May 4, 2021). "Dayton mayor's race: Mims and Bowers win". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[3] Frolik, Cornelius (November 2, 2021). "Mims wins big in Dayton mayor race: 'I'm just beyond words'". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[4] "Dayton City Commissioner Jeff Mims announces run for mayor". WHIO-TV. January 11, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[5] Frolik, Cornelius (March 6, 2021). "12 hopefuls file for top city offices". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Dayton, Ohio. p. B1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[6] "3-way race for new Mayor of Dayton underway; Candidates speak on issues". WHIO-TV. April 11, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[7] "Election Summary Report - OFFICIAL SPECIAL ELECTION - May 4, 2021" (PDF). Montgomery County Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 22, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

[8] "Summary Results Report - General Election 2021 - November 2, 2021" (PDF). Montgomery County Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 14, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2025.

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