From the Chamber
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the League of Women Voters, the City of Great Bend/CVB and Barton County, cordially invites you to attend the 2025 Candidate Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Event Details:
· Location: Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th Street, Great Bend
· Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
· Time: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
· Doors open at 5:00 PM for meet-and-greet with candidates
· 5:30 PM - USD 428 Board of Education candidates
· 6:30 PM - Barton Community College (BCC) Trustee candidates
· 7:30 PM - Mayor and City Council (Wards 1, 2, and 3) candidates
This free, nonpartisan forum is your opportunity to meet the candidates who want to represent you—your community, your values, and your future. Come hear directly from those seeking your vote, ask questions, and make informed decisions that shape the direction of our region.
From League of Women Voters Great Bend President, Janice Walker:
The League of Women Voters is preparing to host the candidate forum on Tuesday, October 7th at the Event Center. Members of the public are invited to attend. Eagle Media will provide live streaming coverage of the event. The forum will feature nineteen candidates vying for local positions. The doors open at 5 pm so the attendees can mingle with the candidates. Patrick Hoffman, an attorney based in Salina, will serve as moderator and commence questioning the USD 428 Board of Education candidates at 5:30 pm. They include Jacqueline Disque, Barbara Thoren, Chad Burroughs, and Sarah Schenek.
Barton Community College (BCC) Trustee board candidates will receive questions at 6:30 pm. The seven candidates are Carl Helm, John Moshier, Will Rains, Amber Smith, Kimberly Becker, Kyle Zoellner, and Billy Eldridge. (Billy is not coming)
Candidates running for Mayor and City Council wards 1, 2, and 3 will take the stage at 7:30 pm. Running for Mayor are Alan Moeder and Davis Jimenez. Ward 1 candidates are Deklyn Craven and Shelly Peacock. Ward 2 candidates are Charlie Dixon and Jay Luerman. Ward 3 candidates are Cody Harris and Shelly Arnberger. (Deklyn & Charlie are not coming).
The forum will have its own set of questions, many submitted by the public through a Google Questionnaire form created by a League board member. In the event of a candidate's absence, a League member will read the candidate's responses on their behalf.
The candidate forum is an event that allows candidates to share their views in person on community concerns in a neutral, fair, and open setting. Holding a forum shows candidates that community members care about the issues and want to be informed voters.
Learn More About The Candidates:
View the Vote411 information on candidates running for election on November 4, 2025 here: https://www.vote411.org/ballot
How to use Vote411:
· Type in your address
· Click 'Get Started' on the lower right
· List of positions comes up: Mayor, City Council, USD 428, BCC Trustees
· Click 'View Race' - then click 'View Answers'
· Click 'Next' in the upper right to go to the next race
Important Election Dates:
· October 14 - Deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration
· October 15 - Advance voting in person begins; mail-in advance ballots sent out
· October 28 - Advance voting must begin
· November 4 - General Election Day
Can't Attend in Person? Both forums will be live-streamed on the Great Bend Post.
Your participation matters. Democracy works best when we all show up. Join us for an evening of civic engagement and help drive meaningful change right here in Barton County.
For more information, please contact: Janice Walker 620-617-4568 [email protected]
Learn more at greatbend.org or on our facebook page facebook.com/gbcoc.
Let's build a stronger future—together.
About the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce serves as the leading voice for business in Great Bend and Barton County, Kansas. Committed to fostering a thriving business climate and vibrant community, the Chamber connects local businesses, advocates for pro-growth policies, and provides resources that help entrepreneurs and established companies succeed.
Through its strategic plan, Elevate GBK, the Chamber is focused on positioning Great Bend as a premier destination for business investment, workforce development, and quality of life. Elevate GBK prioritizes strategic initiatives that strengthen the local economy, enhance community assets, and create sustainable growth opportunities. By bringing together business leaders, community stakeholders, and residents, the Chamber is building a stronger, more prosperous future for Great Bend.
For more information about the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and the Elevate GBK strategic plan, visitgreatbend.orgor contact us at 620-792-2401.