Carlton County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
21 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 13 Carlton County races, led by the Carlton County Sheriff contest.
County offices
SheriffDan Danielson · Chad WalshDanielson (Nonpartisan) Staffing and recruitment through competitive wages and faster hiring
Dan Danielson
- Staffing and recruitment through competitive wages and faster hiring
- Integrating mental health response into the criminal justice system
- Jail programming and tribal law enforcement collaboration
Per the KAXE.
About Dan Danielson
Chief deputy at the Carlton County Sheriff's Office, age 46, per KAXE. He told KAXE the choice in this contest is strictly about readiness and the future direction of the office. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Chad Walsh
No published priorities; profile only.
About Chad Walsh
All that could be confirmed here is the certified filing for Carlton County Sheriff as listed by KAXE. No response was received from him by KAXE and no occupation or platform detail was verifiable within this review. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Dan Danielson and Chad Walsh advanced from the August 11 nonpartisan primary with about 76 and 14 percent, eliminating Jason Syrett, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results; the top two meet on the November 3 ballot.
Commissioner District 2Tony Compo · Ann Gustafson
Tony Compo and Ann Gustafson are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Commissioner District 2.
Tony Compo
No published priorities; profile only.
About Tony Compo
Tony Compo appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Tony Compo.
Ann Gustafson
No published priorities; profile only.
About Ann Gustafson
Ann Gustafson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Ann Gustafson.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Commissioner District 4Mark Thell · Susan (Sue) ZmyslonyZmyslony (Nonpartisan) Advocating for responsible, sustainable growth while preserving community values
Mark Thell and Susan (Sue) Zmyslony are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Commissioner District 4.
Mark Thell
No published priorities; profile only.
About Mark Thell
Mark Thell is a lifelong Carlton County resident, Air Force veteran and farmer running for a second term as District 4 county commissioner, per the Cloquet Pine Journal. He raises grass-fed beef, pastured pork and chicken and serves as president of the county's Farmers Union chapter. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Susan (Sue) Zmyslony Incumbent
- Advocating for responsible, sustainable growth while preserving community values
- Ensuring strong community services and infrastructure through responsible budgeting
- Building collaborative solutions across city, county, tribal, and regional partners
Per the campaign site.
About Susan (Sue) Zmyslony
Susan Zmyslony is the sitting Carlton County Commissioner for District 4, per KAXE, and a 30-year county resident from Barnum Township with a long record of local committee service, per the Cloquet Pine Journal. She is being challenged in 2026 by former commissioner Mark Thell, per Pine Knot News. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
AttorneyJeffrey Boucher
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeffrey Boucher Incumbent
No published priorities; profile only.
About Jeffrey Boucher
Jeffrey Boucher has worked in the Carlton County Attorney's Office since 2012, most recently as chief deputy, and was appointed County Attorney after Lauri Ketola's September 2025 resignation, per Pine Knot News. He is running in November 2026 to keep the seat. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jeffrey Boucher is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Judges
Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 1Rachel C. Sullivan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rachel C. Sullivan
No published priorities; profile only.
About Rachel C. Sullivan
Rachel C. Sullivan is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District July 27, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney at Prebich & Sullivan, P.C. and a law clerk to the Minnesota Court of Appeals; became Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District effective July 1, 2026, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Rachel C. Sullivan is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Robert C. Friday
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert C. Friday
No published priorities; profile only.
About Robert C. Friday
Robert C. Friday is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed March 9, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously director of advocacy for Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Robert C. Friday is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 4Jessica J. Fralich
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jessica J. Fralich
No published priorities; profile only.
About Jessica J. Fralich
Jessica J. Fralich is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed Nov. 4, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Duluth city attorney, a Sixth Judicial District referee and an assistant St. Louis County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Jessica J. Fralich is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Steven Bradley Hanke
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Steven Bradley Hanke
No published priorities; profile only.
About Steven Bradley Hanke
Steven Bradley Hanke is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Lake County District Court December 4, 2023, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously interim and deputy city attorney for the City of Duluth, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Steven Bradley Hanke is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 14Rebekka Lynn Stumme
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rebekka Lynn Stumme
No published priorities; profile only.
About Rebekka Lynn Stumme
Rebekka Lynn Stumme is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Carlton County District Court May 31, 2019, by Governor Tim Walz and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant St. Louis County attorney and assistant public defender for the Sixth Judicial District, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Rebekka Lynn Stumme is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Districts and boards
Soil and Water Supervisor District 2Julianne Motis
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Julianne Motis
No published priorities; profile only.
About Julianne Motis
Julianne Motis appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Julianne Motis.
Julianne Motis is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Soil and Water Supervisor District 3Robert Fox · John Pesonen Johnson · Mike Schultz
Robert Fox, John Pesonen Johnson and Mike Schultz are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3.
Robert Fox Incumbent
No published priorities; profile only.
About Robert Fox
Robert Fox serves on the Carlton County Soil and Water Conservation District board as the District 3 supervisor and Treasurer, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
John Pesonen Johnson
No published priorities; profile only.
About John Pesonen Johnson
John Pesonen Johnson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for John Pesonen Johnson.
Mike Schultz
No published priorities; profile only.
About Mike Schultz
Mike Schultz appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Mike Schultz.
3 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Carlton County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
By address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Minnesota Senate District 11Jason Rarick (R) · Mary Carlson (D) · Monique Doward (FI)Doward (FI) Strengthen rural health systems and support seniors and people with disabilities
Jason Rarick Republican Incumbent
No published priorities; profile only.
About Jason Rarick
Jason Rarick is the incumbent Republican state senator for Minnesota Senate District 11, per the Senate's official member directory, seeking reelection in a district redrawn for 2026 to include part of St. Louis County. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Mary Carlson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
No published priorities; profile only.
About Mary Carlson
Carlson chairs the Wrenshall School Board and owns two small businesses, Pure Event Planning & Design and Decor Lab Duluth, per the campaign site. She led her school district through a consolidation effort and worked at the Minnesota Capitol in 2025 to secure increased school funding, per the campaign site.
Monique Doward FI
- Strengthen rural health systems and support seniors and people with disabilities
- Support job growth and responsible artificial intelligence policy that protects workers
- Invest in affordable housing and reliable water and sewer infrastructure
Per the campaign site.
About Monique Doward
Doward works in social services and is completing a doctorate in public health, per the campaign site. She previously served as a city council member in Kettle River, where she has lived since 2019, per the campaign site.
Jason Rarick (Republican), Mary Carlson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Monique Doward (FI) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 11; Jason Rarick 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.
Minnesota House District 11AChris Swanson (D) · Jeff Dotseth (R)Swanson (D) Fully funding schools and ensuring proper compensation for teachers, public safety personnel and emergency workersDotseth (R) Emphasizes common-sense, practical leadership for the district
Chris Swanson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Fully funding schools and ensuring proper compensation for teachers, public safety personnel and emergency workers
- Maintaining infrastructure, fire and ambulance services, and mental health funding in underserved areas
- Prioritizing support for working families, children and retirees
Per the campaign site.
About Chris Swanson
Chris Swanson is a high school social studies teacher at Cloquet Senior High School and a member of the Cloquet City Council, per his campaign site. Swanson previously worked as a Railroad Conductor for Canadian National out of Proctor, per his campaign site. Swanson is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 11A, per his campaign site.
Jeff Dotseth Republican Incumbent
- Emphasizes common-sense, practical leadership for the district
- Highlights Second Amendment involvement, including a campaign gun-safety class
Per the campaign site.
About Jeff Dotseth
Jeff Dotseth is the sitting Republican representative for Minnesota House District 11A, per the Minnesota House of Representatives. His occupation is listed as real estate, small business owner and farmer/agriculture; he was first elected in 2022 and is serving his second term, per the official member directory.
Chris Swanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Jeff Dotseth (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 11A; Jeff Dotseth 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.
Also on your ballot
Statewide racesEvery Minnesota race on this county's ballot.OpenBallot measures1 statewide ballot measureOpenHow to vote in Carlton CountyVerify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
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Carlton County 2026 election questions
Who is on the ballot in Carlton County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Carlton County sample ballot 2026: see where the soil and water supervisor, county sheriff and commissioner candidates stand on health care and roads. 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 →
How do I see my exact Carlton 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 →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Carlton County11
Candidate roster last updated Sep 27, 2026 from official election sources.