Dave Karge and Jack Considine advanced from the August 11 nonpartisan special-election primary with about 42 and 30 percent, eliminating Ross E. Arneson, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results; the top two meet on the November 3 ballot.
Dave Karge
Dave Karge is a retired Blue Earth County sheriff's lieutenant, per KEYC. Beyond that career and the certified filing reported by the Mankato Free Press, no platform statement was verifiable from an official or campaign source within this review. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Priorities: Wants to bring a common sense approach to the commissioner's office · Wants residents to get good representation for their tax dollar (per the KEYC News)
Jack Considine
WITHDREW FROM THE RACE IN JULY 2026 but remains on the November 3 ballot: Considine ended his campaign citing family matters after the deadline to remove his name had passed, and has endorsed opponent Dave Karge, per KEYC News (August 12 and 18, 2026). Votes cast for him are still counted. Considine withdrew from this race on July 9, 2026 to focus on family matters, but his name still appears on the Aug. 11 ballot because ballots had already been printed, per KEYC. He is a former longtime Mankato city council member and served in the Minnesota House from 2015 to 2021, according to that same report. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Patty O'Connor is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Patty O'Connor
Patty O'Connor is vice chair of the Blue Earth County Board, representing District 1 since November 2022. She spent 38 years with the county, retiring in 2015 as director of taxpayer services overseeing elections, the license bureau, and property records, per the county's official site. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Kevin Paap is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Kevin PaapIncumbent
Kevin Paap is the incumbent Blue Earth County Commissioner for District 4, serving since 2021, per the county's official bio page. He was appointed to the state Board of Soil and Water Resources in 2026, per Radio Mankato. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Kip Bruender is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Kip BruenderIncumbent
Kip Bruender is the incumbent Blue Earth County Commissioner for District 5, first elected in 2002 after serving six years as mayor of Eagle Lake, per the Mankato Free Press. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jeff Wersal is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Jeff WersalIncumbent
Jeff Wersal was first elected Blue Earth County Sheriff in November 2022 and filed for reelection in March 2026, per KTTC. During his term the office added a full-time emergency manager and a K9 unit, per his reelection announcement. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Pat McDermott is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Pat McDermottIncumbent
Pat McDermott is the Blue Earth County Attorney and announced he will seek reelection in 2026, per Radio Mankato. During his tenure he has implemented the Truancy Intervention Program, the Child and Family Advocacy Center of South Central Minnesota, and a Juvenile Diversion/Accountability Program, per Radio Mankato. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jeremy Richard Nase and Isaac Sowers are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Jeremy Richard Nase
Jeremy Richard Nase appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Jeremy Richard Nase.
Isaac Sowers
Isaac Sowers appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Isaac Sowers.
Jacob Quade is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Blue Earth County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Jacob QuadeIncumbent
Jacob Quade serves as the District 5 supervisor for the Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District, per the district's website. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Braxton John Seifert (Republican), Andrea Boettger (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 15. Not on the November ballot: Gary H. Dahms, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Braxton John Seifert (Republican)
Braxton John Seifert works as a loan officer at a family-owned bank and is a sixth-generation resident of Senate District 15, per campaign site. Braxton John Seifert also owns multiple business ventures and operates a farm, per campaign site.
Priorities: Addresses concerns about families leaving the state for lower taxes and fees · Supports improving education quality · Supports lowering the cost of living and expanding economic opportunity (per the campaign site)
Andrea Boettger (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Andrea Boettger is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota Senate District 15 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. This name has not yet been researched.
Jackie Henry (Republican), Nick Frentz (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 18; Nick Frentz is the sitting member, per the Minnesota Senate's official member directory (senate.mn). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Jackie Henry (Republican)
Jackie Henry is a small-business owner raised on a farm in rural Nicollet County, per her campaign site. She is the endorsed Republican candidate for Minnesota Senate District 18, which covers Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter and surrounding areas in Blue Earth, Nicollet and Le Sueur counties, challenging incumbent DFL Sen. Nick Frentz.
Priorities: Affordability and property tax relief · Rooting out government fraud and waste · Supporting skilled-trades workforce development alongside agriculture and manufacturing jobs (per the campaign site)
Nick Frentz (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)Incumbent
Frentz is a partner at Maschka Personal Injury Law and previously managed Frentz & Frentz Law Offices for nearly three decades, per the campaign site. He holds a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2016, per the campaign site.
Priorities: Secured bonding funds for local economic development projects supporting family farms · Supported funding for a new regional crime lab in Mankato (per the campaign site)
Jeremy Munson (Republican), Marisa Ulmen (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 22. Not on the November ballot: Rich Draheim, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Jeremy Munson (Republican)
Jeremy Munson holds a business degree from the University of Minnesota and previously served five years in the Minnesota House (2017-2022), per campaign site. Jeremy Munson and his wife have operated real estate and specialty crop farming businesses, per campaign site.
Priorities: Authored legislation applying free-market approaches to lowering health care and pharmaceutical costs · Focuses on reducing taxes, energy costs and business regulation · Focuses on government accountability over state fraud (per the campaign site)
Marisa Ulmen (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Marisa Ulmen is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota Senate District 22 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. This name has not yet been researched.
Priorities: Supports family farmers through fair competition and access to markets · Supports fully funding public education and expanding childcare access · Supports health care access for seniors and workers (per the campaign site)
Geri Theis (Republican), Keith R. Klawitter (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 15B. Not on the November ballot: Paul Torkelson, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Geri Theis (Republican)
Theis is a real estate broker in Redwood Falls who says her work has given her an understanding of the economic challenges facing rural communities, per the campaign site. She is married to Redwood County Commissioner Corey Theis, per the campaign site.
Priorities: Advocates for farmers and rural families · Supports cutting regulations to help small businesses grow · Supports government accountability and lowering costs for working families (per the campaign site)
Keith R. Klawitter (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Klawitter has spent nearly 50 years in the community as a teacher and coach, working alongside area farmers and local businesses, per the campaign site.
Priorities: Supports strengthening family farms facing rising costs and unstable markets · Supports stabilizing rural hospitals and clinics · Supports stable education funding and expanded career and technical education (per the campaign site)
Leah Hanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Erica Schwartz (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 18A; Erica Schwartz is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Leah Hanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Hanson works as a counselor and social worker, building social service programs and advocating for families facing substance use disorders, homelessness and economic hardship, per the campaign site. She was raised on a hobby farm near Kasota and has lived in North Mankato for 11 years, per the campaign site.
Priorities: Focuses on bringing constituent voices to the legislature · Supports policies aimed at a more just and equitable future (per the campaign site)
Erica Schwartz (Republican)Incumbent
Erica Schwartz, a business owner who holds an associate's degree from South Central College, is the Republican candidate for Minnesota House District 18A, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Schwartz, first elected in 2024, is the sitting member for the district. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Luke Frederick (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) is on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 18B; Luke Frederick is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Luke Frederick (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)Incumbent
Luke Frederick is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 18B on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. Luke Frederick is a sitting member for the district, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). This name has not yet been researched.
Sonja L. Denn (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Bjorn Olson (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 22A; Bjorn Olson is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Sonja L. Denn (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Sonja L. Denn is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 22A on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. This name has not yet been researched.
Priorities: Supports revitalizing small towns through economic development · Supports agriculture and farmers in the district · Opposes rising property taxes (per the campaign site)
Bjorn Olson (Republican)Incumbent
Bjorn Olson, a teacher, farmer and U.S. Army Reserve officer who holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and social studies education from Bethel University and a Master of Arts in American military history from American Military University, is the Republican candidate for Minnesota House District 22A, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Olson, first elected in 2020, serves as Speaker Pro Tempore and is the sitting member for the district. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Terry Matthew Stier (Republican), Mary Nesgoda (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 22B; Terry Matthew Stier is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Terry Matthew Stier (Republican)Incumbent
Stier has served 23 years in law enforcement and is Chief of Police in Belle Plaine, per the campaign site. He is serving his first term in the Minnesota House representing District 22B, per the campaign site.
Priorities: Supports fighting unnecessary tax increases and wasteful spending · Supports stronger safeguards against government fraud · Supports public safety and law enforcement funding (per the campaign site)
Mary Nesgoda (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Mary Nesgoda is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 22B on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. This name has not yet been researched.
Priorities: Supports quality health care access · Supports funding to ensure children get the education they deserve (per the campaign site)
These race previews show candidates we’re tracking now. A ZIP code shows your statewide and congressional races; a street address adds county and city contests. Local races are address-specific. This guide previews tracked contests, while the lookup tool narrows the list to a voter’s exact address. Tap any name to see the race, full candidate profiles, and everything else on your exact ballot.
Blue Earth County 2026 election questions
Who is on the ballot in Blue Earth County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Blue Earth County, Minnesota sample ballot for November 3, 2026: 16 certified races, 25 candidates with bios and priorities. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Minnesota?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are listed on the Minnesota election hub. Minnesota election hub →
What ballot questions are on the Blue Earth County ballot?
1 ballot question: Approval of School District Referendum Revenue Authorization. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Blue Earth County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
