Ankeny Mayoral Candidate Drops Out Of Race

ANKENY, IA — Ankeny's lone mayoral challenger announced this weekend he is ending his campaign due to a health issue. In his announcement, Denny Presnall congratulated Mayor Gary Lorenz, who is left without opposition in the race, on retaining the seat.

Presnall sent an email to Patch regarding his campaign decision and posted the information on his Facebook campaign page. He had been campaigning for eight weeks and said he was withdrawing from the race "with regret and with thankfulness to all those who expressed their support."

"Unfortunately, a personal health issue that I have had in the past has returned and it's an issue that will not only keep me from running an effective campaign, but potentially linger and prevent me from fulfilling my duties as mayor were I to be elected," his email said.

Presnall said of Lorenz: "I am confident that he will provide the right focus for our city and hopefully take a close look at efforts we can undertake to attract more commercial development to our city."

Presnall has worked for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation 35 years and has been executive director and secretary/treasurer since 2007. Last month he announced plans to retire in early 2018 from that position, according to the group's website. He said his plans for retirement were to spend more time with his wife, three children and three grandchildren and work to strengthen Ankeny — his reason for running for mayor.

“It’s a great community now,” he said in the Sept. 18 Farm Bureau story. “But I think there’s more we (can) do to strengthen it, and I’m excited about the challenge and opportunity to continue making a strong contribution.”

Presnall previously served 15 years on the Ankeny School Board, including serving as president. He was elected to the Des Moines Area Community College board of directors in 2015.

Ankeny City Hall photo, City of Ankeny website