Election Candidates and Results
LCMS National Convention • July 18–23, 2026 • Phoenix, Ariz.
June 24, 2026
LCMS President
Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)
From left to right: Matthew C. Harrison, Joel D. Biermann, Benjamin T. Ball, Brady L. Finnern, and Peter K. Lange.
| 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%) |
2,524 (50.1%) |
| Joel D. Biermann |
1,822 (39.0%) |
2,229 (46.0%) |
2,414 (47.9%) |
| Benjamin T. Ball |
371 (7.9%) |
212 (4.4%) |
100 (2.0%) |
| Brady L. Finnern* |
321 (6.9%) |
158 (3.3%) |
— |
| Peter K. Lange* |
112 (2.4%) |
— |
— |
| |
|
|
|
| Total ballots cast |
4,676 |
4,842 |
5,038 |
| Total electorate |
5,478 |
5,478 |
5,478 |
| Percentage voted |
85.4% |
88.4% |
92.0% |
| |
|
|
|
The election for the position of Synod president began last fall with an online nominating process, conducted by YesElections, that concluded Feb. 18, or five months prior to the start of the Synod convention, with a report to the secretary of the Synod.
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.”
The first and second rounds of voting were not conclusive. 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 third round of voting, June 20–23.
Internet balloting was facilitated by election contractor YesElections on behalf of the LCMS Office of the Secretary.
LCMS First Vice-President
2026 LCMS National Convention • Session 2 • July 19 – Sunday afternoon
Voting delegates elected the first vice-president, who serves on the Praesidium with LCMS President Matthew Harrison and five regional vice-presidents.
Ordained
Three-year term
First ballot
- Peter K. Lange (MO) — 559* (60.37%)
- Alfonso O. Espinosa (PSW) — 157 (16.95%)
- Eric T. Lange (NOW) — 77 (8.32%)
- Don R. (Richard) Stuckwisch Jr. (IN) — 67 (7.24%)
- Christopher S. Esget (EN) — 66 (7.13%)
*Elected with more than 50% of votes.
LCMS Regional Vice-Presidents
2026 LCMS National Convention • Session 2 • July 19 – Sunday afternoon
Voting delegates elected five regional vice-presidents, one for each LCMS district. Regional VPs will serve on the Praesidium with LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison and First Vice-President Rev. Peter K. Lange during the 2026-29 triennium.
CENTRAL REGION VICE-PRESIDENT
Ordained
Three-year term
First ballot
- Benjamin T. Ball (SI) — 449
- Joel D. Biermann (MO) — 402
- Jeffrey P. Cloeter (MO) — 36
- Michael P. Schuermann (CI) — 21
Second ballot
- Benjamin T. Ball (SI)* — 488
- Joel D. Biermann (MO) — 432
- Jeffrey P. Cloeter (MO) — 20
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
EAST-SOUTHEAST REGION VICE-PRESIDENT
Ordained
Three-year term
First ballot
- Christopher S. Esget (EN)* — 525
- Wally M. Arp (SELC) — 121
- Jeffrey E. Skopak (SE) — 100
- Deric A. Taylor (NJ) — 82
- Luke T. Zimmerman (EN) — 97
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
GREAT LAKES REGION VICE-PRESIDENT
Ordained
Three-year term
First ballot
- Eric C. Skovgaard (SW) — 343
- Mark D. Brandt (MI) — 205
- David P. Ramirez (SW) — 184
- Jamison J. Hardy (EN) — 139
- Sean A. Willman (MI) — 48
Second ballot
- Eric C. Skovgaard (SW) — 452
- Mark D. Brandt (MI) — 260
- David P. Ramirez (SW) — 219
Third ballot
- Eric C. Skovgaard (SW)* — 614
- Mark D. Brandt (MI) — 311
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
GREAT PLAINS REGION VICE-PRESIDENT
Ordained
Three-year term
First ballot
- Nabil S. Nour (SD)* — 472
- Matthew R. Richard (ND) — 144
- David C. Mumme (MNS) — 118
- Steven D. Turner (SD) — 95
- Scott C. Sailer (SD) — 92
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
WEST-SOUTHWEST REGION VICE-PRESIDENT
Ordained
Three-year term
First ballot
- Alfonso O. Espinosa (PSW)* — 498
- Timothy P. (Tim) Ahlman (PSW) — 215
- Eric T. Lange (NOW) — 113
- Yohannes A. Mengsteab (TX) — 75
- Bradley W. Jurischk (TX) — 34
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
LCMS regional vice-president rankings
Following the elections of the five LCMS regional vice-presidents, elections were also held during Session 2 to determine the order of the VPs. All regional VPs are ordained.
Second vice-president
Three-year term
First ballot
- Benjamin (Ben) T. Ball (SI) — 417
- Alfonso O. Espinosa (PSW) — 199
- Christopher S. Esget (EN) — 97
- Eric C. Skovgaard (SW) — 70
Second ballot
- Benjamin (Ben) T. Ball (SI)* — 493
- Alfonso O. Espinosa (PSW) — 247
- Christopher S. Esget (EN) — 69
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
Third vice-president
Three-year term
First ballot
- Alfonso O. Espinosa (PSW) — 407
- Christopher S. Esget (EN) — 233
- Eric C. Skovgaard (SW) — 84
Second ballot
- Alfonso O. Espinosa (PSW)* — 520
- Christopher S. Esget (EN) — 258
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
Fourth vice-president
Three-year term
First ballot
- Christopher S. Esget (EN) — 419
- Eric C. Skovgaard (SW) — 123
Second ballot
- Christopher S. Esget (EN)* — 494
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
Fifth vice-president
Three-year term
First ballot
- Nabil S. Nour (SD)* — 618
- Eric C. Skovgaard (SW) — 308
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
Sixth vice-president
Three-year term
First ballot
* Elected unanimously.
LCMS Secretary
2026 LCMS National Convention • Session 3 • July 20 – Monday morning
Voting delegates elected the Secretary of the Synod, who serves on the LCMS Board of Directors, the LCMS Commission on Handbook, and the LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters.
Ordained
One (1) Position
Three-year term
First ballot
- Richard C. Rudowske Jr. (MO) — 149
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
LCMS Board of Directors
2026 LCMS National Convention • Session 3 • July 20 – Monday morning
Voting delegates elected six Board of Directors members.
CENTRAL REGION
Lay
One (1) Position
Six-year terms
First ballot
- Andrew N. Grams (MDS)* — 479
- Aaron J. Silletto (IN) — 226
- Kevin W. Washburn (MDS) — 118
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
WEST-SOUTHWEST REGION
Layperson
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Jesse L. Yow Jr. (CNH) — 378
- Jared L. Folkerts (RM) — 91
Second ballot
- Jesse L. Yow Jr. (CNH)* — 458
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
AT-LARGE
Layperson
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- John W. Edson (MNS) — 410
- Thomas J. Deadrick (SD) — 228
- David C. Eastburn (IE) — 211
Second ballot
- John W. Edson (MNS)* — 551
- Thomas J. Deadrick (SD) — 313
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
AT-LARGE
Commissioned
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Nathan T. Domsch (NEB) — 226
Second ballot
- Nathan T. Domsch (NEB) — 316
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
LCMS Board for National Mission
2026 LCMS National Convention • Session 5 • July 21 – Tuesday morning
Voting delegates elected five LCMS Board for National members, one in each of the Synod’s five districts.
CENTRAL REGION
Ordained/Commissioned
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Michael P. Schuermann (CI)* — 557
- Douglas L. Rutt (MO) — 327
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
GREAT LAKES REGION
Ordained/Commissioned
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Peter C. Bender (SW)* — 551
- Miriam R. Yakimow (MI) — 347
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
WEST-SOUTHWEST REGION
Ordained/Commissioned
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Thomas E. Chryst (TX) — 441
- Kevin W. Austin (PSW) — 296
- Neil S. Vanderbush (TX) — 148
Second ballot
- Thomas E. Chryst (TX)* — 555
- Kevin W. Austin (PSW) — 344
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
EAST-SOUTHEAST REGION
Lay
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- David L. Daniels (SE)* — 454
- Janis G. McDaniels (SE) — 186
- Rande T. Cassady (EN) — 132
- Karen A. Dowbnia (EN) — 124
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
GREAT PLAINS REGION
Lay
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Vernon W. Kettelhake (NEB) — 283
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
LCMS Board for International Mission
2026 LCMS National Convention • Session 5 • July 21 — Tuesday morning
Voting delegates elected five LCMS Board for International members, one in each of the Synod’s five districts.
EAST-SOUTHEAST REGION
Ordained/Commissioned
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- James A. Douthwaite (SELC)* — 460
- Rachel E. Jaseph (SE) — 268
- Gregory D. Jans (NJ) — 164
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
GREAT PLAINS REGION
Ordained/Commissioned
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Brent D. Smith (NEB) — 258
- Richard X. Her (MNS) — 222
Second ballot
- Daniel Preus (MNN)* — 420
- Brent D. Smith (NEB) — 258
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
CENTRAL REGION
Lay
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Adam D. Fosse (KS) — 533*
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
GREAT LAKES REGION
Lay
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- John L. Powers (SW)* — 549
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
WEST-SOUTHWEST REGION
Layperson
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Terence Lung (CNH)* — 548
- Doss Tychicus (PSW) — 198
- Richard P. Fielitz Jr. (CNH) — 147
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations
2026 LCMS National Convention • Session 6 • July 21 — Tuesday morning
Voting delegates elected three members for the Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
Ordained: Parish Pastor
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Mark P. Surburg (SI) — 359
- Martin R. Noland (CNH) — 209
- Theodore J. Hopkins (MI) — 186
- Andrew C. Kennell (MO) — 148
Second ballot
- Mark P. Surburg (SI) — 448
- Martin R. Noland (CNH) — 230
- Theodore J. Hopkins (MI) — 224
Second ballot
- Mark P. Surburg (SI)* — 542
- Martin R. Noland (CNH) — 352
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.
Lay
One (1) Position
Six-year term
First ballot
- Paul P. Edmon (NE)* — 472
- Keith G. Chuvala (TX) — 253
- Joseph. L. Olson (SW) — 171
* Elected with more than 50% of votes.