The 2023 nominations process for the offices of President, First Vice-President, and regional vice-presidents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod closed on February 28, 2023, with 1,826 congregations having participated in Internet balloting facilitated by election contractor YesElections (formerly, Election-America) on behalf of the Office of the Secretary.
The following five candidates received the highest number of nominating votes for the office of President and consented to serve if elected:
- Matthew C. Harrison, 1,193
- Patrick T. Ferry, 511
- Richard L. Snow, 228
- Peter K. Lange, 119
- Benjamin T. Ball, 113
Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the office of First Vice-President, the following 20 candidates have consented to serve if elected (ties being fully included where they occurred):
- Peter K. Lange, 958
- Richard L. Snow, 137
- Scott C. Sailer, 98
- Jon M. Braunersreuther, 95
- Patrick T. Ferry, 72
- Scott R. Murray, 50
- Christopher S. Esget, 42
- Waldemar R. Vinovskis, 35
- John C. Wohlrabe, Jr., 31
- Nabil S. Nour, 24
- Allan R. Buss, 22
- Timothy P. Ahlman, 14
- John A. Nunes, 8
- Victor J. Belton, 7
- Jeffrey J. Kloha, 7
- Yohannes A. Mengsteab, 7
- Jamison J. Hardy, 6
- Jason M. Braaten, 5
- Paul A. Linnemann, 4
- Deric A. Taylor, 4
Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the offices of regional vice-president (second through sixth vice-presidents, as will be ranked by the convention), the following have consented to serve if elected (ties being fully included where they occurred):
EAST-SOUTHEAST REGION
- Christopher S. Esget, 121
- Jeffrey J. Kloha, 27
- Luke T. Zimmerman, 20
- Victor J. Belton, 13
- Deric A. Taylor, 12
CENTRAL REGION
- Benjamin T. Ball, 239
- Jason M. Braaten, 54
- Randy K. Asburry, 8
- Lawrence R. Rast, Jr., 6
- William R. Marler, 5
- William W. Schumacher, 5
GREAT LAKES REGION
- John C. Wohlrabe, Jr., 196
- David P. E. Maier, 64
- David P. Ramirez, 39
- Steven G. Kline, 10
- Peter C. Bender, 5
GREAT PLAINS REGION
- Nabil S. Nour, 245
- David C. Mumme, 58
- Robert R. Lessing, 15
- Byrene Keith Haney, 11
- Russell L. Sommerfeld, 11
WEST-SOUTHWEST REGION
- Scott R. Murray, 134
- Timothy M. Klinkenberg, 80
- Yohannes A. Mengsteab, 48
- Alfonso O. Espinosa, 36
- Jeffery T. Schrank, 36
Except in the case of President and First Vice-President, these names will constitute the ballots for elections during the July 29–Aug. 3, 2023, 68th Regular Convention of the Synod.
In the case of the President of the Synod, the election will take place, according to Bylaw 3.12.2.4, starting June 17 (six weeks prior to the convention) via Internet balloting. The five candidates listed above constitute the ballot for election, which must be by majority vote (runoffs are possible). Pastoral and lay voters validly registered by the congregations and parishes of the Synod (Bylaw 3.12.2.3) before the deadline (electronic registration by March 19, 2023) or their substitutes (as validly submitted before June 9, 2023) will serve as the voters for this election. Results are to be announced at least two weeks prior to the convention.
In the case of the election of the First Vice-President, the President-elect will select from the list of 20 nominees (listed above) the five candidates (at least two of which must be among the top five nominees) who will comprise the ballot for the election, which will take place early in the convention (Bylaw 3.12.2.6). Regional vice-president elections and ranking will follow the order and process required by the Bylaws of the Synod (Bylaw 3.12.2.7).
In each of the above elections, no opportunity will be provided to add names to the slate of candidates listed above, although in the event of the death, declination, or unavailability of a candidate, the nominee(s) having the next highest number of votes shall become candidate(s).
John W. Sias
Secretary, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Posted March 13, 2023
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