Turlock father of three Chris Lewis has advanced to the national semifinals of the 2026 Super Dad competition. With voting closing 7 p.m. Thursday, Lewis must finish first in his semifinal group to earn a place in the national finals, scheduled for Nov. 6-12.

Lewis is competing for the overall Super Dad title, a $25,000 grand prize for his family and an appearance in a national television commercial provided by Ace Hardware. The competition also raises funds benefiting Children's Miracle Network through optional donation-based votes, a cause that aligns with something that has become increasingly important to Lewis and his family since becoming parents.

“Once you become a parent, anything involving kids just hits differently,” Lewis said. “You have a whole new appreciation for the people who care for them and the families navigating those situations. If there’s an opportunity to support a good cause that helps kids, their families and the people taking care of them, that’s something I’m always going to get behind.”

Lewis announced his entry to friends and family in mid-September. They quickly rallied around him, sharing his voting link, following the rankings and encouraging neighbors and friends to participate. What began as a lighthearted family project has grown into a community effort with supporters in Turlock, across California and beyond. His social media updates combine early-morning running videos, family moments and a steady supply of dad jokes, including the campaign line "Take a Joke. Leave a Vote."

About a year ago, Lewis experienced a stroke after suddenly being unable to answer a question from his wife. Following his recovery, Lewis returned to his regular early-morning runs, part of his commitment to staying active and present for the people he loves.

Lewis says striving to be a good father is rooted in knowing how quickly childhood passes and wanting to make that time count.

“I just want them to always know their dad was there, loved them fiercely, believed in them, and never took being their dad for granted,” he wrote.

If Lewis ultimately wins the $25,000 prize, he says the money would go toward three things that matter most to him: his children’s future, experiences together as a family and their home. His plans include putting money toward education, taking the family on a trip to create lasting memories and improving their backyard so the family has another place to spend time together.

To support Lewis, vote at: https://yoursuperdad.org/chris-lewis-h3Za