Pipestone County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
21 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 15 Pipestone County races, led by the Pipestone County Commissioner District 2 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 2Rodney Altena · Thomas Haag
Rodney Altena
No published priorities; profile only.
About Rodney Altena
Filed for Pipestone County Commissioner District 2, according to Minnesota Secretary of State candidate filing records. No campaign website or platform statement could be located. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Thomas Haag
No published priorities; profile only.
About Thomas Haag
Filed for Pipestone County Commissioner District 2, according to Minnesota Secretary of State candidate filing records. No campaign website or platform statement could be located. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Thomas Haag and Rodney Altena advanced from the August 11 nonpartisan primary with about 35 and 33 percent, eliminating Scott Ploeger by eight votes for the second spot, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results; the top two meet on the November 3 ballot.
SheriffEdison Dengler · Dustin SeilerDengler (Nonpartisan) Protecting communities and supporting victims and families
Edison Dengler
- Protecting communities and supporting victims and families
- Holding offenders accountable and strengthening community trust
- Supporting deputies, dispatchers and jail staff so the office meets the needs of every city, township and rural area
Per the campaign site.
About Edison Dengler
Dengler serves as Lieutenant with the Pipestone County Sheriff's Office and as Assistant Commander of the Buffalo Ridge Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, per the campaign site. In nearly 21 years of law enforcement, Dengler has worked patrol, investigations, supervision, and jail and dispatch operations, per the campaign site.
Dustin Seiler
No published priorities; profile only.
About Dustin Seiler
Filed for Pipestone County Sheriff, according to Minnesota Secretary of State candidate filing records. No campaign website or platform statement could be located. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Edison Dengler and Dustin Seiler advanced from the August 11 nonpartisan primary with about 68 and 18 percent, eliminating Troy J. Wenzel, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results; the top two meet on the November 3 ballot.
Commissioner District 4Dan Delaney · Jaime Guardado Jr.
Dan Delaney and Jaime Guardado Jr. are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pipestone County Commissioner District 4.
Dan Delaney
No published priorities; profile only.
About Dan Delaney
The Mayor of the City of Pipestone, who filed for the Pipestone County District 4 commissioner seat being vacated by Commissioner Dan Wildermuth, per the Pipestone County Star. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jaime Guardado Jr.
No published priorities; profile only.
About Jaime Guardado Jr.
Jaime Guardado Jr. appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pipestone County Commissioner District 4, 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 Jaime Guardado Jr..
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pipestone County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
AttorneyDamain D. Sandy
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Damain D. Sandy
No published priorities; profile only.
About Damain D. Sandy
Damain Sandy is the current Pipestone County Attorney, having served the county's attorney's office since 1998, per the county's official website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Damain D. Sandy is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pipestone County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Judges
Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Kayla M. Johnson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kayla M. Johnson
No published priorities; profile only.
About Kayla M. Johnson
Kayla M. Johnson was appointed to the bench in Minnesota's Fifth Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz in March 2025, per her former law firm's website. She was a founding partner of Smith & Johnson from 2015 to 2025, focusing on real estate law and estate planning, and is a graduate of Hamline University and its law school, per the same source.
Kayla M. Johnson 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 5Christopher Cain · Christina M. Wietzema
Christopher Cain
No published priorities; profile only.
About Christopher Cain
Christopher Cain is a candidate for Minnesota Fifth Judicial District Court, Seat 5. He has practiced law for 30 years, serving as an Assistant County Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, Interim City Attorney and defense/family law attorney, per his campaign site. He has also served as an investigator and panel chair with the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board and as an adjunct law instructor, per the same source.
Christina M. Wietzema Incumbent
No published priorities; profile only.
About Christina M. Wietzema
Judge Christina M. Wietzema was appointed to the Fifth Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton in 2012 and was elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She earned her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law and previously worked as an assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Christopher Cain and Christina M. Wietzema are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for this seat. Minnesota's 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8Paul J. Gunderson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Paul J. Gunderson
No published priorities; profile only.
About Paul J. Gunderson
Paul J. Gunderson is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Nicollet County District Court March 4, 2025, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Brown County attorney and an attorney at Blethen Berens and Berens, Rodenberg & O'Connor, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Paul J. Gunderson 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Stephen J. Ferrazzano II
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II
No published priorities; profile only.
About Stephen J. Ferrazzano II
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Watonwan County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on January 12, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender, 1998-2018, and former mayor of Tracy, Minnesota, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 12Patrick Rohland
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Patrick Rohland
No published priorities; profile only.
About Patrick Rohland
Patrick Rohland is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Redwood County District Court Sept. 9, 2013, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Redwood Falls city attorney and an attorney with the Redwood County Attorney's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Patrick Rohland 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 13Troy G. Timmerman
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Troy G. Timmerman
No published priorities; profile only.
About Troy G. Timmerman
Troy G. Timmerman is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed Assistant Chief Judge of the Faribault County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Jan. 18, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Faribault County Attorney and an assistant public defender and managing attorney for the Fifth Judicial District, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Troy G. Timmerman 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 15Robert Docherty
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert Docherty
No published priorities; profile only.
About Robert Docherty
Robert Docherty is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Brown County District Court Aug. 17, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously managing attorney of the Mankato office of the Fifth Judicial District Public Defender's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Robert Docherty 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 4William (Bill) Folger
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
William (Bill) Folger
No published priorities; profile only.
About William (Bill) Folger
William (Bill) Folger appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pipestone County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, 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 William (Bill) Folger.
William (Bill) Folger is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pipestone County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Soil and Water Supervisor District 5Bradley Kruisselbrink
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Bradley Kruisselbrink Incumbent
No published priorities; profile only.
About Bradley Kruisselbrink
Bradley Kruisselbrink, listed as Brad Kruisselbrink, serves as chairman of the Pipestone County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Bradley Kruisselbrink is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pipestone County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
By address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Minnesota Senate District 21Chris Knoll (R) · Caitlyn Sanow-Minett (D)Sanow-Minett (D) Support strong communities and reliable services for southwest Minnesota
Chris Knoll Republican
No published priorities; profile only.
About Chris Knoll
Chris Knoll is CEO of Minnewaska Community Health Services and a licensed Department of Human Services provider and nursing home administrator, per his campaign site. He holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University and a master's degree in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato, per the campaign site. He is running for Minnesota Senate District 21.
Caitlyn Sanow-Minett Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Support strong communities and reliable services for southwest Minnesota
- Favor data driven, community led decisions
- Promote transparent and accountable government
Per the campaign site.
About Caitlyn Sanow-Minett
Caitlyn Sanow-Minett is a lifelong southwest Minnesota resident from Tracy who now lives in Lake Benton, per the campaign site. She works as a circulation supervisor at an academic library and is a local union leader, and previously worked in childcare and hospitality while earning a bachelor's degree in English literature from Southwest Minnesota State University, per the campaign site.
Chris Knoll (Republican), Caitlyn Sanow-Minett (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 21. Not on the November ballot: Bill Weber, 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.
Minnesota House District 21ALS Rusty Nelson (D) · Krist Wollum (R)Nelson (D) Protect rural hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and ambulance services from funding cutsWollum (R) Strengthening oversight of taxpayer funds
LS Rusty Nelson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Protect rural hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and ambulance services from funding cuts
- Strengthen volunteer fire departments and EMT services
- Support practical solutions for farmers' and ranchers' supply chains
Per the campaign site.
About LS Rusty Nelson
LS "Rusty" Nelson is a teacher and emergency medical technician who has lived in southwest Minnesota for more than 30 years, per the campaign site. He describes his approach as thoughtful leadership grounded in listening and practical problem solving, per the campaign site.
Krist Wollum Republican
- Strengthening oversight of taxpayer funds
- Protecting family farms and rural communities from burdensome regulation
- Improving rural healthcare access and support for veterans
Per the campaign site.
About Krist Wollum
Wollum is a fourth-generation farmer who has operated a grain and cattle farm near Porter, Minnesota, with his nephew since 1992, per the campaign site. He served 20 years as Marble Township supervisor and as president of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association from 2017 to 2018, per the campaign site.
LS Rusty Nelson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Krist Wollum (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 21A. Not on the November ballot: Joe Schomacker, 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.
Ballot questions
2 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Pipestone County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
City Question 1: ISSUANCE OF SUNDAY ON-SALE LIQUOR LICENSESCity of Jasper · Would allow licensed establishments in City of Jasper to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays.
Would allow licensed establishments in City of Jasper to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays.
School District Question 1: Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 2689 (Pipestone Area Schools) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $474.26 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,500 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $474.26 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,500 per pupil for ten years.
Also on your ballot
Statewide racesEvery Minnesota race on this county's ballot.OpenBallot measures1 statewide ballot measureOpenHow to vote in Pipestone 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.
More
Pipestone County 2026 election questions
Who is on the ballot in Pipestone County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Pipestone County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county sheriff and county attorney candidates stand on agriculture and public safety. 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 Pipestone County ballot?
2 ballot questions: ISSUANCE OF SUNDAY ON-SALE LIQUOR LICENSES; Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Pipestone 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 →
Candidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.