St. Joseph mayoral candidate forum set for Jan. 15 as February primary nears

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Northwest Missouri Republican Club will hold their January monthly meeting with a special mayoral candidate forum in advance of the Feb. 3 primary election.

The club announced its monthly meeting will take place at Bandanas BBQ on Jan. 15 with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by the candidate forum at 6:30 p.m.

The forum will feature all four candidates in the running for mayor in 2026, including:

• Mayor John Josendale
• Jonathan McClain
• Larry Miller
• Kenneth Reeder

The forum will provide an opportunity for each candidate to present their positions, ideas and concerns with the community, including goals for office.

Each candidate will have the opportunity to respond to every question asked by a moderator at the forum. A second mayor debate through the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is expected to take place on Jan. 28th at Stoney Creek Hotel.

As part of the Feb. 3 mayoral primary, the top two vote-getters will move on to the April general election, unless either candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, in which case they will automatically be appointed to office.

While the mayor's race marks the lone question on February's primary ballot, the April election also includes races for all eight city council seats and municipal judge.

The positions of mayor and four at-large councilmembers will be elected to serve four-year terms, while the four district councilmembers will be elected to an initial two-year term.

The April ballot will also include races for two open Board of Education seats.

Bandanas BBQ is located at 4225 Frederick Avenue.