But he says the experience of the first has improved his campaign this time round.
The long-serving Labour Swindon borough councillor and former mayor is one of three candidates for the job who stood in the May election.
The election has had to be run again because the winner, Conservative Jonathon Seed, was barred from taking the post because of a 30-year-old driving conviction.
Philip Wilkinson will represent the Tories this time around, with the election taking place on August 19.
Coun Ali said: “Perhaps the most annoying thing about it is that we haven’t heard a word of apology from Jonathon Seed or the Conservatives.