2 candidates are tracked for Riley County Commissioner, District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John Ford and Rob Voelker. Candidate information follows official Riley County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
August 4 primary result: incumbent John Ford won the Republican nomination with 58 percent (721 votes) over Gary Bennington (42 percent, 521 votes), per News Radio KMAN and the Riley County board of canvassers' certification. Democrat Rob Voelker ran unopposed in his primary, so Ford and Voelker meet on the November 3 ballot.
County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.
This race. The sitting officeholder, John Ford, is on the ballot.
Kansas › Riley County › Riley County Commissioner, District 1
Republican Incumbent
John Ford is the incumbent Riley County commissioner for the 1st District, first elected in 2018. He works for Florence Corporation in Manhattan and is a Kansas State University graduate in construction science, per News Radio KMAN. Ford filed in April 2026 for a third term, saying property taxes are the county's main issue, per KMAN. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Rob Voelker is a Democratic candidate for the Riley County Commission's 1st District seat and a former broadcaster, per News Radio KMAN. He filed in February 2026 to challenge incumbent Republican John Ford, describing himself on his campaign site as a collaborator focused on strong leadership for the county.
Who is running for Riley County Commissioner, District 1 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Riley County Commissioner, District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John Ford and Rob Voelker. Candidate information follows official Riley County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Riley County Commissioner, District 1 election in Kansas?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Kansas are on the Kansas election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Riley County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Riley County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Kansas election office, or see the full Riley County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
8 tracked races in Riley County, Kansas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.