Here's how Black candidates fared in city and school elections across Iowa

*Story updated 11/4/2021.

Hotly contested races over mask mandates, critical race theory and equity and policing drove voters to the polls on Tuesday, resulting in some big wins for Black candidates.

Indira Sheumaker, a Des Moines community organizer unseated long time Des Moines city council member Bill Gray.

"We just won our campaign on a platform centered on Defunding the Police for Safety and Justice. It can be done. My goal for this city has always been to work from the bottom up. Not the top down. I'm more committed than ever to working with the residents of Des Moines to get their needs met, prioritizing the people, and acting as a true representative for Ward 1," said Sheumaker in a statement released on Facebook.

Waterloo also scored big victories with Mayor Quentin Hart's reelection, plus the election of Rob Nichols, council member at large, John Chiles, Ward 1 council member and Nia Wilder, Ward 3 council member.

In Waukee, nasty disputes over equity and face mask mandates soured the school board race where four conservative school board members backed by the Warriors & Wolves United political action committee all lost to other candidates, including Armel Traore dit Nignan on Tuesday.

"I am relieved, excited and proud that the voters have spoken in favor of inclusion and diversity for our school system and did not allow fear and misinformation to prevail," said Waukee parent Victor Dutchuk.

According to the Iowa Secretary of State, 425,193 ballots were cast as of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. For full results, visit the Iowa Secretary of State.