Official notice: Candidates for Synod president, vice-president and regional vice-presidents

The nominations processes for the offices of President, First Vice-President and regional vice-presidents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to be elected at or in conjunction with the 2026 Synod convention have been completed.

Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the office of President, the five candidates who received the highest number of votes have also given their consent to serve if elected:

President of the Synod

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Matthew C. Harrison, 900

Joel D. Biermann, 334

Benjamin T. (Ben) Ball, 311

Brady L. Finnern, 148

Peter K. Lange, 65

Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the office of First Vice-President, the following 21 candidates (more than 20 because ties are included) have given their consent to serve if elected:

First Vice-President of the Synod

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Peter K. Lange, 804

Christopher S. Esget, 50

Allan R. Buss, 36

Jeffrey P. Cloeter, 21

Jamison J. Hardy, 12

Timothy P. (Tim) Ahlman, 10

Lawrence R. Rast Jr., 9

Dien A. Taylor, 9

David A. Davis, 8

Don R. (Richard) Stuckwisch Jr., 7

Jeffrey J. Kloha, 5

Alfonso O. Espinosa, 4

Jeffrey E. Skopak, 4

Deric A. Taylor, 4

Victor J. Belton, 3

Jacob S. Gillard, 3

Byrene K. (Keith) Haney, 3

Mark R. Hoehner, 3

Eric T. Lange, 3

Scott C. Sailer, 3

Sean A. Willman, 3

Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the offices of regional vice-presidents (which will be ranked by the convention as second through sixth vice-presidents), the following have given their consent to serve if elected:

Regional Vice-President

Central Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Benjamin T. (Ben) Ball, 185

Michael P. Schuermann, 27

Joel D. Biermann, 22

Jeffrey P. Cloeter, 22

Peter J. Brock, 9

East-Southeast Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Christopher S. Esget, 109

Wally M. Arp, 29

Luke T. Zimmerman, 18

Deric A. Taylor, 16

Jeffrey E. Skopak, 13

Great Lakes Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Eric C. Skovgaard, 79

Mark D. Brandt, 55

David P. Ramirez, 49

Jamison J. Hardy, 43

Sean A. Willman, 33

Great Plains Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Nabil S. Nour, 128

Matthew R. Richard, 41

David C. Mumme, 22

Steven D. Turner, 18

Scott C. Sailer, 14

West-Southwest Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Alfonso O. Espinosa, 117

Yohannes A. Mengsteab, 33

Bradley W. Jurischk, 16

Timothy P. (Tim) Ahlman, 9

Eric T. Lange, 9

Except in the case of President and First Vice-President, these names will constitute the ballots for elections during the July 18–23, 2026, convention of the Synod.

In the case of the President of the Synod, the election will begin six weeks prior to the convention via internet balloting. No opportunity will be provided to add names to the slate of five candidates listed above. Pastoral and lay voters validly registered by the congregations and parishes of the Synod (Bylaw 3.12.2.3) before the deadline (receipt in the Office of the Secretary by March 8, 2026), or their substitutes (as validly submitted before May 29, 2026), will serve as the voters for this election. Results, which can take more than one round as a majority must be obtained, 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 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 that will take place early in the convention (Bylaw 3.12.2.6). No opportunity will be provided for additional nominations from the floor of the convention.

Regional vice-president elections will follow the order and process required by the Bylaws of the Synod (Bylaw 3.12.2.7). No opportunity will be provided for additional nominations from the floor of the convention.

Rev. Dr. John W. Sias

Secretary

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Posted March 4, 2026