By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The deadline for candidates to file for the 2025 city and school board elections has passed, and while there are several contested races, there aren’t enough candidates vying for each position to hold a preliminary election.
Instead, all races will be decided in the November general election.
Nine candidates are vying for two four-year and one two-year term on the Hays City Commission.
Those candidates are incumbents Reese Barrick, Shaun Musil and Sandy Jacobs. Other candidates include David Vilaysing, Candace (CJ) Hathaway, Samuel Allen, Justin Choitz, Kelly Ancar and David Koshiol.
There are three at-large seats open on the Ellis City Council. Incumbent John A. Walz and Mayor David R. McDaniel will be on the ballot along with Kevin LaBarge.
Just one person filed for the Schoenchen City Council: Jim Mowry. There are five positions up for election.
Ryan Lichter and Matthew L Sander filed for two of the three open seats on the Victoria City Council.
Other contested races include the contest for three seats on the Hays USD 489 School Board.
Ken Brooks, Curt C. Vajnar, Craig Pallister, Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp and Kelly Ancar all filed to run for those three seats.
Five Victoria residents will be facing off for three spots on the USD 432 Victoria School Board.
Those five candidates are Shanna Dinkel, Jacob Hunter, Connie Braun, Jeanna Wellbrock and Jennifer Berens.
There are also four Russell residents vying for three seats on the Russell School Board. They are Joyce Ellis, Nancy M. Schmitt, Shari Pittenger and Many K. Troug.
There are also contested races for the Big Creek, Munjor, Prairie Acres and Suburban Estates Improvement Districts, as well as Cottonwood Extension District #17.
You can find the complete list of candidates below.
