The primary election for the next Mayor of St Joseph is on Feb. 3. There's an opportunity to meet the candidates on Jan. 28, when the city's Chamber of Commerce kicks off its 2026 Public Affairs Coffee series with a Mayoral Forum. The event takes place from 7:30 to 8:30 am at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center.
Four candidates are competing for mayor: Jonathan McClain, Larry Miller, Kenneth Reeder, and the incumbent Mayor John Josendale. The chamber invited all candidates to participate in the forum.
The top two vote-getters in the Feb. 3 primary will advance to the general election on April 7 unless a single candidate receives over 50% of the primary vote, in which case they will be declared winner, and no general election for the mayor position will be held.
According to the Chamber's CEO, Natalie Hawn, The Public Affairs Coffee series is “a way for the Chamber to bring economic, governmental and legislative issues to the public.”
“Political forums before local elections are a perfect way to get to know candidates and make informed decisions,” she said.
The Mayoral Forum is the first of three forums hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The next will be a St. Joseph School District Board of Education Candidate Forum on March 4 followed by the St. Joseph City Council Candidates Forum on March 25.
Forums will be recorded by 680 KFEQ and broadcast at 9 a.m. the day after the event. Registration for the event is $15 for chamber members and $20 for the general public. You can register at saintjoseph.com.
