OTTUMWA — Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress (“GOPIP”) announced that they will be sponsoring candidate debates for the 2026 election cycle for the following offices: Wapello County Supervisors, Iowa Senate District 13, and Iowa House of Representatives Districts 25 and 26.
According to GOPIP Executive Director Marc Roe, “as part of our organizational mission of legislative advocacy, we feel that it’s critical we are helping to educate the local voters in respect to those who seek office…In the end, it’s our goal to equip voters so they feel educated and comfortable with the votes they cast this November.”
This format will differ from traditional League of Women Voters forums, which will be held subsequent to the debates, and the public is encouraged to participate in that event. There will be no audience questions fielded during the debates. Standard debate rules will apply and will be delivered to candidates prior to the evenings of debates. Debates will take place regardless of any candidate’s ability to participate.
The schedule is as follows:
September 29, 2026, Career Campus, 331 E Main St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Doors open at 4:30 pm
Wapello County Supervisors 5:10 (90 Minutes)
Darren Batterson (R) Incumbent – Confirmed
Laurie Fountain (D) – Confirmed
Dennis Willhoit (D) – Confirmed
Bryan Ziegler (R) Incumbent – Confirmed
Iowa Senate District 13 6:50 (30 Minutes)
Brenda Case (D) – Confirmed
Jeff Kulmatycki (R) – Declined, Prior Conflict
Iowa House of Representatives 7:30 pm (75 Minutes)
Kolton Jones (D), District 25 – Confirmed
Hans Wilz (R), District 25 – Incumbent, Confirmed
Austin Harris (R), District 26 – Incumbent, Declined
Brett Mohler (D), District 26 – Confirmed
Each debate will be open to the public for attendance; however, audience participation will not be permitted during the events. All debates will be livestreamed individually via the Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress Facebook page and recorded for future viewing.
GOPIP will have a table for those who would like to register to vote in advance of the November 3, 2026 general election. For more about this event and general voter information, please visit: https://www.gopip.org/advocacy
