Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress Announces 2026 Debates

OTTUMWA, IA, August 31, 2026 — Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress (“GOPIP”) is excited to announce 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. GOPIP will be working in partnership with The Ottumwa Courier and Ottumwa Radio Group, who will act as dual moderators for all debates. Additionally, the Ottumwa Community Schools Career Campus will serve as host locations for the debates, which will be livestreamed.

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. Further, we couldn’t be happier to partner with the Ottumwa Courier and Ottumwa Radio Group to ensure that we produce this event from a factual, nonpartisan stance. 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. All questions will be curated by the Ottumwa Courier and Ottumwa Radio Group and not delivered in advance of the debates. 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