2021 Dayton mayoral election

2021 Dayton mayoral election

← 2017 November 2, 2021 2025  →

Candidate Jeff Mims Rennes Bowers Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 10,290 5,056 Percentage 67.05% 32.95%

Mayor before election Nan Whaley Nonpartisan Elected mayor Jeff Mims Nonpartisan

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

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.