With the deadline for filing candidacy paperwork now passed, the ballot for Bentonville mayor in the Nov. 5 election is set.

Current Mayor Stephanie Orman, who has held office since 2018, faces a single challenger: political newcomer and retired Walmart supplier Steve Galen.

In her reelection announcement, Orman highlighted the progress made on key city projects during her tenure. In announcing his bid for mayor, Galen emphasized his business background and the support of two former mayors.

The candidate who wins in November will have tremendous influence on our growing city.

Beyond typical city functions like parks and roads, our mayor also oversees the city’s electric, water, and trash collection services. The position plays a key role in setting the City Council’s agenda, manages a staff of nearly 800 employees, and oversees budgets that approach $250 million. 

As part of our coverage, we’re preparing a candidate Q&A featuring both candidates. We’ve sent the questions to them and hope to publish their answers in early October.