Election Candidates and Results
LCMS National Convention • July 18–23, 2026 • Phoenix, Ariz.
June 17, 2026
Synod presidential election enters third round
The second round of voting in the election for president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) was not conclusive, and another runoff will be required. The candidates whose names will stand in the runoff election are Matthew C. Harrison, Joel D. Biermann and Benjamin T. Ball.
The second round of voting is June 20–23. There could be up to four total rounds of voting (extending to June 30) until a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes.
March 4, 2026
Elections for VPs, secretary, CTCR and boards will be held at convention
During the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) from July 18-23 in Phoenix, elections will be held for six LCMS vice-presidents, a secretary, three boards and the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations. Delegates will also elect board members for LCMS entities and universities.
The nominations processes for the offices of First Vice-President and regional vice-presidents of the LCMS to be elected at or in conjunction with the 2026 Synod convention have been completed.
LCMS Presidential Election Enters Third Round
From left to right: Matthew C. Harrison, Joel D. Biermann, Benjamin T. Ball, Brady L. Finnern, and Peter K. Lange.
June 17, 2026
President of the Synod
Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)
| Candidate |
Round 1:
June 6-9
Votes (%) |
Round 2:
June 13-16
Votes (%) |
Round 3:
June 20-23
Votes (%) |
| |
|
|
|
| Matthew C. Harrison |
2,050 (43.8%) |
2,243 (46.3%) |
|
| Joel D. Biermann |
1,822 (39.0%) |
2,229 (46.0%) |
|
| Benjamin T. Ball |
371 (7.9%) |
212 (4.4%) |
|
| Brady L. Finnern* |
321 (6.9%) |
158 (3.3%) |
— |
| Peter K. Lange* |
112 (2.4%) |
— |
— |
| |
|
|
|
| Total ballots cast |
4,676 |
4,842 |
|
| Total electorate |
5,478 |
5,478 |
|
| Percentage voted |
85.4% |
88.4% |
|
| |
|
|
|
Voting delegates — one pastor and one officer from each congregation regularly cared for by one pastor or pastor[s] (Bylaw 2.5.5) — cast their votes in the second round of voting, June 13–16.
*According to Bylaw 3.12.2.4, “if no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a second or succeeding ballots are required for a majority. In that case, the candidate receiving the fewest votes shall be dropped from the ballot and another vote shall be taken in the same manner.”
Therefore, Peter K. Lange was removed after the first round of voting (June 6-9), and Brady L. Finnern is being removed after the second ballot.
The third round of voting for LCMS president will take place June 20–23, with a final round, if necessary, occurring June 27–30.
The candidates whose names will stand in the runoff election are Matthew C. Harrison, Joel D. Biermann and Benjamin T. Ball.
Registered voters will use the same credentials they used to vote in the first and second rounds, which will again be provided by email when the next round of voting has opened.
Internet balloting was facilitated by election contractor YesElections on behalf of the LCMS Office of the Secretary.
March 4, 2026
LCMS Presidential Nominations
The nominations processes for President 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:
| Candidate |
Nominations |
| |
|
| Matthew C. Harrison |
900 |
| Joel D. Biermann |
334 |
| Benjamin T. Ball |
311 |
| Brady L. Finnern |
148 |
| Peter K. Lange |
65 |
| |
|
Vice-President Nominating Ballots: Slate of Candidates
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.
Return to top