October 20th, 2025

Dubuque, Iowa – October 20, 2025 – The race for Dubuque’s next mayor is heating up, and the city’s buzzing with anticipation as the November 4 election looms! After a primary on October 7 drew about 5,000 voters, incumbent Brad Cavanagh and challenger Jason Davis are duking it out to win the hearts of Dubuquers. From housing to taxes to public safety, these two are bringing distinct visions to the table, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Brad Cavanagh, the current mayor, is all in on his track record. A social worker turned small business owner, he’s touting big wins like snagging $30 million in federal grants for infrastructure, boosting first-responder pay, and greenlighting over 2,600 new housing units with developer incentives. Cavanagh’s also pushing hard for more flights at Dubuque Regional Airport and splashy projects like the Chaplain Schmitt Island redevelopment, complete with an amphitheater and hotel. With $21,565 raised pre-primary, he’s banking on his experience and knack for public-private deals to keep Dubuque thriving.

Enter Jason Davis, a hometown U.S. Army Ranger veteran and nonprofit director who’s ready to shake things up. Davis is rallying voters with a call for transparency, slamming “pre-packaged” city council decisions and demanding more community say. He’s laser-focused on affordable housing for working families, reining in rising taxes, and fully staffing public safety without breaking the bank. Davis has raised eyebrows—and $31,815 from nearly 100 small donors—by questioning pricey taxpayer subsidies for air service, pushing instead for private partnerships to ease the burden on residents. His “People Over Politics” mantra is striking a chord with those craving a resident-first approach.

While both candidates agree on boosting public safety and infrastructure, their paths diverge sharply. Cavanagh’s deep ties to local economic groups signal a business-friendly vibe, while Davis’s grassroots energy and focus on everyday families are firing up voters looking for change. With primary turnout low, the November election could be a game-changer if Dubuquers hit the polls in force.

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