Local Elections

2026 Election Day is Tuesday, April 7

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, April 7 to elect representatives for the Janesville City Council, Janesville School Board, and the Rock County Board of Supervisors.

Forward Janesville and our Government Relations Council play an educational role in helping our members—and the community at large—understand the election process and learn about the candidates. While we do not endorse candidates or host forums, we publish our annual Candidate Q&As in March to showcase the candidates and their perspectives on key issues. Check this page frequently for updates about the election, local candidate forums and news headlines. 

✅ This page will be updated frequently as the election cycle progresses.
📅 Last updated: January 12, 2025

Offices Up for Election in 2026

Key Dates for Candidates

2026 Candidates for Janesville City Council*

2026 Candidates for Janesville School Board*

2026 Candidates for Rock County Board of Supervisors*

There are 29 seats on the Rock County Board of Supervisors and supervisors serve 2-year terms. Every two years, the entire county board turns over at the same time. Fourteen of the 29 districts represented on the board of supervisors impact Janesville. For a full list of the candidates running for county board, click here. 

*There will be a primary for 2026 Rock County Board of Supervisors seat in District 29 (Janesville). The primary will take place on Feb. 17.

Local Election Headlines

The Janesville Gazette will make their endorsements for local boards and councils in March 2026. Here is what they are looking for in a candidate:

Gazette Editorial Board: Running for local office? Here's the candidate we're looking for (Dec. 31)

Janesville City Council

Janesville council dismisses idea of February primary (Jan. 11).

Janesville City Council candidate Dan Neal drops out after learning he lives outside city limits (Jan. 9)

Janesville City Council President Aaron Burdick will not seek re-election (Dec. 19)

Janesville City Council candidate Ben Dobson not accepting donations (Dec. 8).

West side resident Robert Hanson enters Janesville City Council race (Dec. 5)

'No Data Center' organizer Cassandra Pope running for Janesville City Council (Dec. 5)

South-side neighborhood organizer Cassandra Pope running for Janesville City Council (Nov. 27)

Seeman, Williams say they'll run for Janesville City Council (Nov. 26)

Reese Wood announces Janesville City Council candidacy (Nov. 24)

Ben Dobson announces run for Janesville City Council (Nov. 16)

Janesville School Board

Janesville School Board incumbents Hurda, Dommershausen will run for reelection next year (Dec. 29)

Measner says he'll run again for Janesville School Board (Dec. 11)

Measner launches a third campaign for spot on Janesville School Board (Dec. 8)

After 20-plus years, Kevin Murray's time on Janesville School Board will come to a close in April (Dec. 5)

Rock County Board of Supervisors

Rock County Board 2026 election will have one primary for the race in District 29 (Jan. 8)

Rock County Board member Chris Cullen won't run again in April (Dec. 16)

Madeline Heise challenges Ken Stone for the 24th district (Dec. 15)

Madeline Heise running for Janesville-area seat on Rock County Board (Dec. 14)

Gorman to run again for Beloit-area Rock County Board seat (Dec. 11)

Hamilton running for Beloit-area Rock County Board seat (Dec. 10)

Stevens won't run again for Rock County Board (Dec. 10)

Pfaffenbach will challenge Schulz in Rock County Board District 29 (Dec. 5)

Garrik Harwick running for Rock County Board (Dec. 4)

Rock County Board member Dave Homan won't run again (Dec. 3)

Schulz will run again for Janesville-area seat on Rock County Board (Dec. 1)

Brandon Buchanan running for Beloit-area Rock County Board seat (Dec. 1)

Mary Mawhinney and Bill Wilson won't run again, leaving 2 Milton-area Rock County board seats open in April (Nov. 22)

Ken Smith, Milton-area council member seeking re-election and a county board seat (Nov. 21)

Abarca announces run for Rock County Board (Nov. 20)

Willow Wallis to run for Beloit seat on the Rock County Board (Nov. 18)

What Does it Mean to Run for Public Office?

Being a member of the Janesville City Council, the Janesville School Board or the Rock County Board of Supervisors means being a community leader.  When you run for public office, you are making the commitment to serve and elevate the community. Running for public office also entails understanding your role as a member of the city council, school board or county board. These are non-partisan, volunteer roles with a scope to:

• Provide oversight of leadership; 
• Guide budget development and financial decision making; and 
• Steer community development by setting standards for expected outcomes.

Qualities of an Effective Candidate

Many of our Government Relations Council (GRC) members have served on the city council, school board and/or county board. They know what the job demands and what it takes to be a force for positive impact. To prepare candidates for their roles in public service, GRC developed a list of qualities that effective candidates possess. Effective candidates:

• Understand the scope of the role; 
• Are willing to learn and engage; 
• Are data-driven and future-focused in decision making; 
• Are holistic in approach (not one-issue candidates); and are
• Clear communicators.

Local Civic Engagement Organizations

There are a handful of local organizations that are active in local elections and civic engagement activities. They are listed alphabetically below:

• League of Women Voters of Janesville
• Rock County Civics Academy
• Rock County First

Each organization engages in local elections in a different way. Some host candidate forums. Some publish materials and help candidates run for local office. Some endorse candidates. While Forward Janesville does not formally collaborate with these organizations, we link to the helpful tools they have and publicize any public candidate forums they host. 

The Janesville Gazette will make their endorsements for local boards and councils in March 2026. Click here to review what they are looking for in candidates.