Former mayor David Bowers declares his Republican campaign for mayor of Roanoke

Roanoke, Virginia – David Bowers, a former mayor of Roanoke City, is running for the top public post in Star City.

After nearly twenty years in office, current Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea declared in December 2023 that he would not be running for mayor again in the 2024 election.

Bowers declared his candidacy for mayor only this past week but as a Republican this time. For the Roanoke native, who held the Democratic mayoralty twice, from 1992 to 2000 and again from 2012 to 2016, it represents a change of pace. He identified as an independent from 2008 until 2012.

In light of this, Bowers is moving to the Republican Party, where he feels more comfortable. In September, he said that his decision to switch parties was motivated by his belief that some of the policies and objectives traditionally supported by Democrats had changed.

“I was a Democrat for a long time and then an independent,” Bowers said previously. “Because of the circumstances on the national level, on the state level, and on the local level…I decided I was more comfortable being with the Republican Party.”

After completing his studies at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, Bowers obtained his bachelor’s degree from Patrick Henry High School. After that, he graduated with a master’s in liberal arts from Hollins University and a law degree from Loyola University New Orleans.

After winning two elections for the city council in 1984 and 1988, Bowers went on to win the mayoralty in 1992. Before stepping down in 2016, he held the position for two more terms after his 2008 comeback.

Additionally running are Vice Mayor Joe Cobb and Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds of Roanoke City.

On November 5, 2024, there will be a general election.