Bill Gluba


Bill Gluba is the former mayor of Davenport, Iowa. Born in Davenport, he received a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He received a master's degree in political science from the University of Iowa. In 1963, he took part in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He served on the Scott County, Iowa, Board of Supervisors as well as in the Iowa State House and Senate as a Democrat. He has unsuccessfully run for Congress in Iowa's 1st Congressional District three times, first against Congressman Jim Leach in 1982 and again in 1988. In 2004 he was nominated to run against incumbent Congressman Jim Nussle and was defeated.
In 2006, Nussle decided to not seek another term in Congress, but instead run for the office of Iowa governor as Tom Vilsack was not seeking another term for that office. Gluba, Rick Dickinson of Dubuque, and Bruce Braley had declared themselves candidates to be the representative for the Democratic leaning district that includes Dubuque, Davenport, and Waterloo as its largest cities. Braley later won the primary, and subsequently won the seat in the November 2006 general election.
On August 31, 2007, Gluba officially filed as a candidate for mayor of his hometown of Davenport, Iowa. He faced former mayor Phil Yerington and at-large Alderwoman Jamie Howard in the primary. On primary day, October 9, Gluba won, receiving 4,784 votes, or 45.33%. Gluba faced Yerington, who placed second with 3,495 votes, or 33.12%, in a runoff held on November 6, 2007. Gluba defeated Yerington, with 10,544 votes or 62% percent. In 2009 and 2011 Gluba ran for a second and third term as mayor unopposed. In 2013, he won election to a fourth term with 65% of the vote.
Gluba has also worked as a real estate broker with RE/MAX River Cities. Inc., Bettendorf, Iowa.