2026 Saline County Candidate Forum set for Oct. 8 at Bryant High School

Participating candidates listed below.

Local voters will have the opportunity to hear directly from some of the 2026 general election candidates during the Saline County Candidates Forum on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Bryant High School.

The free, non-partisan public event will begin at 6:00 p.m. inside Love Auditorium. Read more below.

Love Auditorium is located on the Bryant High School campus at 500698 Harris Street in Bryant. (Yes, that address number is correct.)

Organizers encourage residents to attend to learn more about candidate platforms, ask questions, share local concerns, and meet fellow neighbors.

Co-sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Alpha Rho Omega Chapter and The Saline Courier, the forum is designed to give community members a platform to connect with local candidates ahead of the upcoming general election.

The following candidates are slated to participate in the Candidate Forum:

U.S. Congress

District 02: Chris Jones

State Senate

District 16: Joshua Irby

State Representative

District 29: Deonna Morgan
District 81: Gina Thomas-Littlejohn

Mayoral Races

City of Alexander: Paul Mitchell
City of Benton: Donald White, Mayor Tom Farmer
City of Bryant: Mayor Chris Treat

City Council

City of Benton:
- Greg White (Ward 1, Pos. 1)
- Preston Madison (Ward 1, Pos. 1)
- Quinn Marshall (Ward 2, Pos. 1)
- Ann Spencer Cole (Ward 2, Pos. 1)
- Jana Hogue (Ward 3)
- Lamont Cornwell (Ward 5, Pos. 1)
City of Bryant:
- Leonard Speed (Ward 2, Pos. 1)
- Amy Edwards (Ward 4, Pos. 1)
City of Shannon Hills:
- Lela Chism (Ward 2, Pos. 2)
City of Alexander:
- Trevis Bentley (Ward 4, Pos. 2)

County Offices

County Judge: Matt Brumley
County Coroner: Kevin Cleghorn
Justice of the Peace:
- Christian Bearden (District 4)
- Rick Bellinger (District 6)
- Justin Payne (District 8)
- Andrea “Andy” Hillis (District 9)