IOWA CITY — Bruce Teague became the first gay black man to be elected to the Iowa City council this week in a special election.
The Gazette of Iowa City reported that Teague had campaigned as a gay man. He defeated Ann Freerks, who has experience with the city’s planning and zoning commission.
From The Gazette:
“I honestly think that it was who I am, my personal story, I think that resonated with Iowa Citians,” Teague said. “Someone that isn’t a political person, someone that really does listen to people, and so I think that’s what they really want.”
The at-large seat became open after council member Kingsley Botchway II resigned to take a job with the Waterloo school district earlier this summer.
Unofficial results show 4,195 votes were cast, for a 9.03 percent turnout. The total was 229 more votes than were cast in the Sept. 4 primary.
In unofficial results, Teague had 2,277 votes, for 54.3 percent of the ballots cast, to Freerks’ 1,896 votes, for 45.3 percent.
Teague is the owner of Caring Hands and More, which helps clients with home health care, professional cleaning and other tasks. He said he’s also had experience in senior living facilities and hospices.
“I think that all of us in Iowa City know someone that is marginalized, someone that needs a helping hand,” he said. “That’s what I do on a daily basis.”