Curtis Knutson and Leonard Vonasek advanced from the August 11 nonpartisan primary with about 49 and 32 percent, eliminating Douglas James Cariveau, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results; the top two meet on the November 3 ballot.
Curtis Knutson▾
All that could be confirmed here is the certified filing for Polk County Commissioner District 2 as reported by KROX and KAXE. He did not respond to KAXE's outreach and no occupation detail was verifiable within this review. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Curtis Knutson.
Leonard Vonasek▾
Leonard Vonasek is a retired from a construction and concrete business with more than 30 years of township zoning experience and military service from 1971 to 1977, per KAXE. He argues there for more state funding flowing to Polk County. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 8, 2026.
Priorities: Fair taxation · Roads, highways and bridges · Water management (per the KAXE)
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Dennis R. Boucher▾
Dennis R. Boucher appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Commissioner 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 Dennis R. Boucher.
Michael (Mike) Wedin▾
Michael (Mike) Wedin appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Commissioner 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 Michael (Mike) Wedin.
Mike Norland is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Mike Norland▾
Mike Norland serves as Chief Deputy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office and is running unopposed for sheriff following Sheriff James Tadman's retirement, per the Thief River Falls Times. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Gregory Widseth is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Gregory Widseth▾
Gregory Widseth appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Attorney, 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 Gregory Widseth.
Elizabeth Davis is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1 (East), per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Elizabeth Davis▾
Elizabeth Davis appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1 (East), 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 Elizabeth Davis.
David Kiecker is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2 (East), per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
David KieckerIncumbent▾
David Kiecker serves as Treasurer and District 2 supervisor for the East Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District, representing Badger, Lessor, Hill River, and King townships, per the district's website. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Eric McWalter is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1 (West), per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Eric McWalter▾
Eric McWalter appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1 (West), 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 Eric McWalter.
Johnathan Sorenson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Polk County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3 (West), per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Johnathan SorensonIncumbent▾
Johnathan Sorenson, listed as John Sorenson, serves on the West Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing District 3, per the district's website. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Mark Johnson (Republican), Bjorn Solberg (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 1; Mark Johnson 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.
Mark Johnson · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Mark Johnson represents Minnesota Senate District 1, which comprises all of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties plus three townships in Clay County, per the Minnesota Senate. No campaign website or additional attributed biographical detail was found for his 2026 race as of this research pass.
Bjorn Solberg · Democratic-Farmer-Labor▾
Bjorn Solberg is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota Senate District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. This name has not yet been researched.
Steve Gander (Republican), Jennifer Compeau (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 1B; Steve Gander 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.
Steve Gander · RepublicanIncumbent▾
Steve Gander represents Minnesota House District 1B, which comprises all of Clay, Norman, Polk and Red Lake counties, per the Minnesota House of Representatives. No campaign website or additional attributed biographical detail was found for his 2026 race as of this research pass.
Jennifer Compeau · Democratic-Farmer-Labor▾
Jennifer Compeau is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 1B on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
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