From Dallas to City Hall: Ike Rayford’s Path to Serving Sioux City

By Eli Meschko

Media & Communications Coordinator

When Ike Rayford made the move to Iowa, he was just a kid from Dallas, Texas, looking to continue chasing his passions.

After graduating from high school, Rayford made the 800-mile move north to play football and run track at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.

He spent several years in Orange City, where he got married and started a family. Eventually, however, life circumstances left him as a single father. While Orange City had been home for a time, the small-town setting left him wanting more. Not quite ready to return to Dallas, Rayford decided to move himself and his children to Sioux City.

After a few more years in the workforce, Rayford realized he wanted to return to school. With generous support from Briar Cliff University, he decided to finish his degree as a Charger. He ultimately graduated with a double major in business administration and mass communication.

Following graduation, Rayford owned and operated two local small businesses, Kingsbury Electronics and Brekkys. Through this work, he interacted closely with other Siouxland business owners, learning the ropes of entrepreneurship and, more importantly, earning the trust of the local small business community.

Rayford also served as president of the Sioux City NAACP. In this role, he gained a deeper understanding of community needs from multiple perspectives. He built relationships across the city and worked with local government entities to propose solutions to ongoing issues, including advocating for police body cameras.

“All of my experiences prepared me for the opportunity to represent people,” Rayford said. “I learned how to build relationships on either side. Because of that, I can help move the needle forward.”

Through the relationships he built over the years, Rayford developed a clear understanding of the challenges Sioux City faces. From economic growth and housing to public safety and equity, he knew he wanted to commit himself to forward-looking solutions without leaving anyone behind.

When the opportunity arose to run for Sioux City City Council, Rayford decided it was time to put the culmination of his experiences to work for the people of Sioux City. He was one of nine candidates competing for three open seats and was ultimately elected. Rayford officially began his term in January 2026.

Though he is just a month into his four-year term, Rayford already has a vision for the city’s future growth. He believes attracting new residents begins with offering a high quality of life, including green spaces, parks, clean streets, good water, and safe neighborhoods. While Sioux City already offers ample outdoor spaces, Rayford sees opportunities for improvement in other areas.

One of the most critical factors, he believes, is job growth. Rayford said this can be achieved by investing more in local small businesses so they can expand and create jobs, as well as by attracting companies seeking a more favorable environment.

“Tesla moved from California to Texas, and in turn, Texas has had a big boom,” Rayford said. “I don’t know if a Tesla would ever move to Sioux City, but enhancing the elements that could bring companies here is something we’re looking at as a council.”

Rayford hopes Sioux City can be recognized as one of the top places to live. He acknowledges that economic development is not his area of expertise, so he relies on fellow newly elected council member Rick Bertrand for insight in that area. In turn, Bertrand and other council members lean on Rayford for guidance on community-related issues.

Ultimately, Rayford says the council shares a common goal: creating a Sioux City that is safe, thriving, and a great place to live and raise a family. That includes strong schools, opportunities for young people to grow and return later in life, and responsive leadership for all residents.

“If someone has an issue, a problem, or a concern, we want to know,” Rayford said. “Our phone numbers and emails are publicly available, so it all goes straight to us. We need to know if trash isn’t being picked up or if potholes need to be filled.”

Rayford’s commitment to listening is not limited to the city’s more affluent areas. Influenced by his early career experiences, he is equally focused on being responsive to residents in underserved neighborhoods.

To Rayford, being a council member means serving as a true representative for all people. He wants every resident to feel their voice matters, regardless of their circumstances or where they live.

This is the type of environment where Rayford thrives. Supporters of his election recognized his ability to sit in a room with anyone and listen. In many ways, his role is to act as a bridge between citizens and the government officials making decisions on their behalf.

“The City Council can’t make decisions without recognizing that there are sometimes unintended consequences,” Rayford said. “If we’re making decisions with the wrong attitude or incomplete information, it’s my job to ask hard questions to protect and look after the people of Sioux City.”

While still early in his term, Rayford hopes his legacy will be measured less by titles or accomplishments and more by service. As a servant leader, he wants his work to speak for itself and hopes to look back on a community that grew stronger, happier, and more connected through shared effort.

“Ultimately, I want Briar Cliff University to be proud of me,” Rayford said. “I want Briar Cliff to look at my journey and be proud of my commitment to leadership, faith, and community.”