Two Candidates vying for Bentonville Mayor: Incumbent Stephanie Orman and Challenger Steve Galen
As the city of Bentonville, Arkansas, prepares for its general election on November 5, 2024, two candidates are making their bids for the mayor’s seat: incumbent Stephanie Orman and challenger Steve Galen.
About Stephanie Orman
Stephanie Orman, the incumbent mayor of Bentonville, is aiming for her second term in office. With over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, Orman brings a wealth of background knowledge to the role. She served on the Bentonville City Council from 2015 to 2018 before becoming mayor in 2018.
- Leadership Experience: Orman has led over 700 employees and managed a budget exceeding 0 million during her tenure as mayor.
- Achievements: Under Orman’s leadership, Bentonville has achieved notable milestones such as being named a Trendsetter City and earning recognition as one of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise by Southern Living.
- Campaign Themes: Orman emphasizes her ability to manage growth and maintain transparency in city governance. She highlights her team’s work in improving financial transparency and achieving an ISO Class 1 rating for the fire department, ensuring better safety for residents.
- Endorsements: Orman has received endorsements from various community members, including Karilea Magee, Bryan Sexton, Avas Amin, Tom Frank, and Doug and Stephanie Bryant.
About Steve Galen
Steve Galen, a retired Walmart supplier and resident of Bentonville since 1996, is stepping into the political scene for the first time. With a 38-year career in business, Galen believes his experience in overseeing numerous projects will help him lead the city towards better infrastructure and community development.
- Background and Motivation: Galen is concerned about Bentonville’s growth and believes the city needs a leader who can address its challenges more effectively.
- Community Service: Galen has been involved in various community services including stints with the Bentonville Library Foundation, Northwest Arkansas Crisis Intervention Center, and Mercy Health Foundation.
- Funding: Galen has raised more than double and spent more than triple the amount of money compared to Orman, according to preelection campaign finance reports. He provided himself ,270 in loans while Orman and her husband lent ,500 to her campaign.
Debate Insights
During a live debate hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, both candidates discussed their visions for addressing population growth and affordable housing.
- Growth Concerns: Orman highlighted the city’s efforts to update master plans for infrastructure projects like street and water/sewer improvements, aiming to keep up with growth while avoiding pitfalls seen in similar-sized communities.
- Infrastructure Challenges: Galen emphasized the need to upgrade sewer systems and improve traffic technology to ensure smoother commutes and support business needs. He criticized the current permitting process as too time-consuming and costly.
- Affordable Housing Strategies: Orman mentioned creating an affordable housing task force but acknowledged they didn’t implement all of its recommendations fully. Galen proposed removing red tape and costs associated with the permitting process to make home building cheaper.
The mayoral race in Bentonville has drawn considerable attention as both candidates provide distinct visions for the city’s future. Residents will have to decide between Orman’s proven track record and Galen’s new perspective on addressing growth and infrastructure challenges.
