photo by: Shawn Valverde

The bookmobile is parked outside the Lawrence Public Library on Friday, July 26, 2024, ahead of the library's celebration of the 10th anniversary of its building.

Multiple local groups will host more than a dozen candidates for the Lawrence City Commission in a “speed campaign event” ahead of the primary election later this summer.

The League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County, NAACP Lawrence Kansas Branch and Lawrence/Douglas County Chapter of Women for Kansas announced in a press release they will host an event July 19 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., to allow residents to meet the 13 candidates in the City Commission race before the primary election on Aug. 5.

Because of the large field of candidates, the event will be a “speed campaign” with the candidates positioned at tables throughout the library auditorium. Residents will then rotate throughout the tables to meet the candidates for as much time as allowed. The release noted the event is nonpartisan and encourages anyone to come.

The 13 candidates in the field are vying for two open seats on the City Commission. Commissioner Bart Littlejohn is the only incumbent in the field after Commissioner Lisa Larsen decided to not seek re-election, as the Journal-World reported.

Along with Littlejohn, the field of candidates includes Paul Buskirk, Michael Courtney, Mike Harreld, Eric Hyde, Alex Kerr, Steve Jacob, Ruby Mae Johnson, Amanda Nielsen, Kristine Polian, Bob Schumm, Peter Shenouda and Courtney Shipley.

In-person advanced voting for the primary begins July 16, with voters able to go to the Douglas County Elections Office, 711 W. 23rd St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to cast their vote. In-person advance voting ends on Monday Aug. 4 at 12 p.m., with the primary taking place Aug. 5.

The primary election will see the top four vote earners advance to the general election, which will be held on Nov. 4.