Candidate Forums
Links to Candidate Forums
Co-Sponsored by LWVLL and KOLN/KGIN NewsLegislative Candidate Forum, 9/22/2026: https://www.1011now.com/2026/09/23/watch-replay-1011-league-women-voters-host-state-legislature-candidate-forum/
County Candidates Forum, 9/23/2026: https://www.1011now.com/2026/09/23/live-630-1011-league-women-voters-host-lancaster-county-candidate-forum/
Two Candidate Forums Scheduled
In-Person, Livestreamed on 1011 Now and Available for On-Demand Viewing Until Election Day
The League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County (LWVLL), in partnership with 10/11 News, is hosting two Candidate Forums in advance of the November 3 General Election.Tuesday, September 22 – Contested Unicameral races in districts serving Lancaster County (Districts 2, 26, 28, 30, 32) at 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, September 23 – Select Lancaster County races: Lancaster County Sheriff, Lancaster County Attorney, and District 3 Lancaster County Commissioner at 6:30 pm
The dates of the September events were selected to occur before early voting ballots are mailed by the Lancaster County Election Commission.
Both events are being held at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln at 6300 A Street. The public is encouraged to attend.
“Informed voters are empowered voters,“ said Jean McGuire, president of the LWVLL. “There are many races on the November ballot. Providing an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their priorities and perspectives helps inform the electorate on how candidates align with their own values.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the local League of Women Voters to bring nonpartisan, informative programming to our viewers,” said Bayley Bischof, 10/11 news director. “We also appreciate using the League’s Vote411.org platform on our website, providing not only information on all candidates and ballot initiatives, but also assisting in registering to vote, requesting a mail-in ballot, and finding a polling place.”
Candidate questions will be developed by the LWVLL and 10/11 News with input from other Lancaster County news and advocacy organizations. The candidates will not be provided any questions in advance. Audience members attending the September events will have the opportunity to submit questions for consideration via index cards they will receive upon arrival.
All contested Unicameral candidates qualified by the Nebraska Secretary of State were invited to participate via a Save-the-Date postcard mailed in July, and an August 10 letter of invitation mailed via U.S.P.S. and emailed with a copy of the LWVLL Candidates Forum Protocol. Three candidates declined the invitation to participate: Dean Helmick (District 2), Tobias Howard (District 26), and Mark Schoenrock (District 23); both Helmick and Schoenrock initially accepted the invitation.
Candidates for the elected offices in Lancaster County were contacted using the same method as the Unicameral candidates. All candidates invited to participate in the September 23 Lancaster County Candidate Forum agreed to participate. The races covered include Lancaster County Sheriff, Lancaster County Attorney, and District 3 Lancaster County Commissioner.
When 10/11 and the LWVLL had a similar livestream and on-demand availability for the Spring 2025 City Election, a cumulative total of 2,092 people attended and/or viewed the events over 13 days. The number of days between the 2026 Candidate Forums and the General Election is more than double, so greater viewership is expected. The content will be available on 1011now.com and the 1011NOW app for viewing on smartphones and streaming platforms including Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV.
Candidates confirmed to participate:
September 22, 2026 – Unicameral Candidate Forum
Caitlin Knutson (D2), George Dungan (D26), Patty Pansing Brooks (D28), Colby L. Woodson (D28), Janet M. Bock (D30), Cally Ideus (D30), Shay Smith (D32)
September 23, 2026 – Lancaster County Candidate Forum
Sheriff: Ben T. Houchin (R), Jay Pitts (D); County Attorney: Pat Condon (R), Randall Ritnour (D); District 3 County Commissioner: Matt Schulte (R), Bryan Seck (NP)
A third Candidate Forum was scheduled for October 7 for candidates running for District 1 U.S. House of Representatives. The League’s partner, 10/11 News, decided to cancel the event when Rep. Mike Flood declined the invitation to participate. Instead, 10/11 News will cover that race through news interviews, which will be made available as on-demand programming.
Candidate Forum Protocol – Fall 2026
Promo for 2026 Candidate Forum
September 22, 2026 – Unicameral Candidate Forum
Caitlin Knutson (D2), George Dungan (D26), Patty Pansing Brooks (D28), Colby L. Woodson (D28), Janet M. Bock (D30), Cally Ideus (D30), Shay Smith (D32)
Sheriff: Ben T. Houchin (R), Jay Pitts (D); County Attorney: Pat Condon (R), Randall Ritnour (D); District 3 County Commissioner: Matt Schulte (R), Bryan Seck (NP)