Mayor Brad Cavanagh

Overview

Brad Cavanagh, of 565 Fenelon Place, was first elected as Mayor in November 2021 and was reelected in November 2025. Previously, he served on the Dubuque City Council beginning in 2019 representing the city’s Fourth Ward.

Background

Brad is a small business owner and social worker with over 20 years of practice experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in social work from Saint Louis University. From 2010-2021, he taught at Loras College in Dubuque as an associate professor of social work and currently owns and operates a fair trade store in downtown Dubuque. Brad and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons.

Civic Involvement

Brad is a Dubuque native and has served his hometown in several ways since returning to Dubuque in 2008. Prior to his election to City Council, he was a member of the Dubuque Housing Commission, served as Vice Chairman of the Dubuque County Food Policy Council, was a board member for the Fountain of Youth, served as Chair of the Guiding Coalition for the City’s Circles Initiative, and is a co-founder of Resources Unite. As Mayor, Brad serves on the boards of Dubuque Initiatives, the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA), the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Travel Dubuque, the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, DBQ Air, and chairs the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study.  Brad is also serving as the 2025-2026 Immediate Past President of the Iowa League of Cities and is an active member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. 

Council Appointments to Boards & Committees

  • Conference Board
  • Travel Dubuque Convention & Visitors Bureau - Travel Dubuque - Board of Directors
  • Dubuque Initiatives
  • Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation System (DMATS) Policy Committee
  • Dubuque Racing Association - Board of Directors
  • Greater Dubuque Development Corp. (GDDC) Board of Directors
  • Greater Dubuque Development Corp. (GDDC) Executive Committee

Email Mayor Cavanagh or call 563-690-6502. To contact the entire City Council, fill out the Contact Us form. 

 

Brad Cavanagh