Mark Swanson and Gregg Felber advanced from the August 11 nonpartisan primary with about 41 and 35 percent, eliminating Matt J Bischoff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results; the top two meet on the November 3 ballot.
Gregg Felber
Felber is the incumbent Sherburne County Commissioner for District 3 seeking re-election, and has served as both Vice Chair and Chair of the County Board, per the campaign site. Felber chairs the Minnesota Energy Transition Advisory Committee and has led the county's comprehensive plan update, per the campaign site.
Priorities: Protecting the tax base through the forced transition away from coal power at Sherco · Modernizing the county solid waste system · Maintaining public safety funding (per the Elk River Star News)
Mark Swanson
Business owner who lost this seat by about 50 votes in 2022, according to the Elk River Star News. He frames his pitch around household budgets in that paper's questionnaire. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Priorities: Lowering government spending to protect family budgets · Reducing regulatory burden on businesses · Action on election integrity (per the Elk River Star News)
Raeanne Danielowski is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Raeanne DanielowskiIncumbent
Raeanne Danielowski, a Big Lake business owner, has served as a Sherburne County commissioner and county board chair since 2019, per hometownsource.com. She previously served 10 years on the Big Lake City Council, including six years as mayor, and has lived in the county for 40 years. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Gary Howard Gray is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Gary Howard GrayIncumbent
Gary Gray represents District 4 on the Sherburne County Board and is seeking reelection in 2026, per KNSI Radio. A fourth-generation potato farmer who operated Gray Potato Farm and Grayson's Berryland for more than 37 years, he served 18 years on the Clear Lake Township Board, including 12 as chairman, and was appointed to Potatoes USA by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for two six-year terms. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Brenda Davis and Michael Tonsager are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Auditor.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Auditor, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Brenda Davis
Brenda Davis has worked in the Sherburne County Auditor-Treasurer's office for 12 years and is a Minnesota-certified property tax calculator, per her campaign site. She is a former licensed real estate professional and is endorsed by retired Sherburne County Auditor-Treasurer Diane Arnold, per her campaign site. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Priorities: Protecting taxpayer dollars through accurate accounting and oversight · Ensuring secure, accurate and transparent elections · Maintaining high standards in financial reporting and county audits
Michael Tonsager
Michael Tonsager is a Navy veteran and former Aviation Electronics Technician with a master's degree in Strategic Leadership, per his campaign site. He is running for the open Sherburne County Auditor seat against Brenda Davis, a 12-year employee of the Auditor-Treasurer's Office.
Priorities: Ensure Sherburne County has the most secure elections in Minnesota · Provide accessible public reports on county expenditures for accountability · Modernize administrative systems to reduce waste and cost
Holly Menke is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Recorder, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Holly Menke
Holly Menke appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Recorder, 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 Holly Menke.
Benjamin Zawacki is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Benjamin Zawacki
Ben Zawacki is a 19-year veteran of the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office who currently serves as Commander of Operations, per his campaign site. He has been endorsed by retiring Sheriff Brott, who is stepping down after 18 years in office, per KNSI.
Priorities: Public safety and crime prevention through training, victim advocacy and data-driven policing · Fiscal responsibility and transparent budgeting · Staff safety and workforce development amid statewide staffing shortages
Hans Larson and Dawn Nyhus are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Attorney.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Hans Larson
Hans Larson is a prosecutor with 15 years of experience in Minnesota, currently handling felony domestic assault, protective order, and criminal sexual conduct cases at the Wright County Attorney's Office, per his campaign site. He previously served as an assistant county attorney in Polk and Sherburne counties and holds degrees from the University of Minnesota and Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Priorities: Has focused his prosecution work on crimes against victims of domestic and sexual assault · Serves on the board of Rivers of Hope, a family violence advocacy organization · Campaigns on the slogan 'Safer, Stronger, Sherburne'
Dawn Nyhus
Dawn Nyhus is the incumbent Sherburne County Attorney, appointed to the office in May 2025 after 18 years in the Sherburne County Attorney's Office, per her campaign site. She has worked as a criminal prosecutor since 2008 specializing in sexual assault and serious person crimes, and has served as Lead Assistant County Attorney in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions, per the same site.
Priorities: Maintaining a strong working relationship with law enforcement for effective investigations and prosecutions · Providing sound legal counsel to county departments, boards and administration · Improving communication and collaboration to reduce the burden on crime victims
Christine Jurek is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Christine JurekIncumbent
Christine Jurek appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2, 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 Christine Jurek.
Jason Selvog is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Sherburne County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Jason SelvogIncumbent
Jason Selvog serves on the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing District IV, per the district's website. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 6, 2026.
Aric Putnam (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Bernie Perryman (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 14; Aric Putnam 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.
Aric Putnam (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)Incumbent
Aric Putnam is a teacher with more than 25 years of experience in education who has served as the Minnesota state senator for the St. Cloud region since January 2021, per his campaign site and the Senate's official member directory. He is seeking reelection to Senate District 14. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Priorities: Affordable housing · Safe, thriving neighborhoods · Support for schools (per the campaign site)
Bernie Perryman (Republican)
Bernie Perryman currently serves as the Minnesota State Representative for House District 14A, per the House member directory, and is running for the Minnesota Senate seat in District 14 against incumbent DFL Sen. Aric Putnam. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Andrew Mathews (Republican), Brandon Van Dover (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 27; Andrew Mathews 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.
Andrew Mathews (Republican)Incumbent
Andrew Mathews is the Republican candidate for Minnesota Senate District 27 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. Andrew Mathews is a sitting member for the district, per the Minnesota Senate's official member directory (senate.mn). This name has not yet been researched.
Brandon Van Dover (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Brandon Van Dover is the DFL candidate for Minnesota Senate District 27, challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Andrew Mathews, per Hometown Source. The district covers Sherburne County and parts of Mille Lacs County, including Princeton. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Eric Lucero (Republican), Leah Temple (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 30; Eric Lucero 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.
Eric Lucero (Republican)Incumbent
Eric Lucero has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2022, representing District 30, after four terms in the Minnesota House beginning in 2014, per the Minnesota Senate. Lucero serves as ranking minority member on the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee and also sits on the Education Finance and Elections committees, per the Minnesota Senate.
Leah Temple (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Leah Temple is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota Senate District 30 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. This name has not yet been researched.
Zachary "Zach" Dorholt (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Sue Ek (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 14B. Not on the November ballot: Dan Wolgamott, 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.
Zachary "Zach" Dorholt (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Zachary Dorholt is a mental health professional with degrees in community development and counseling psychology from St. Cloud State University, per campaign site.
Priorities: Supports policies that ease everyday costs for working families · Supports expanding affordable health care, including mental health services · Supports fully funded, equitable public schools (per the campaign site)
Sue Ek (Republican)
Sue Ek is a longtime St. Cloud resident and communications professional with more than 30 years supporting women, families and nonprofit organizations, per campaign site. Sue Ek has served on the City of St. Cloud's Transportation Infrastructure Advisory Board, per campaign site.
Priorities: Supports law enforcement · Focuses on improving the local economy · Focuses on fighting fraud in government (per the campaign site)
Vanessa Davenport (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Shane Mekeland (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 27A; Shane Mekeland 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.
Vanessa Davenport (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Vanessa Davenport is a military veteran, per campaign site.
Priorities: Supports strengthening transparency around political spending · Supports requiring companies to cover infrastructure and water costs from AI data centers with public oversight · Supports reliable, affordable energy with ratepayer protections (per the campaign site)
Shane Mekeland (Republican)Incumbent
Shane Mekeland, a business owner with a trades and labor background, is the Republican candidate for Minnesota House District 27A, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Mekeland, first elected in 2018, is the sitting member for the district. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Bryan Lawrence (Republican), Charles A. McConaughay (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 27B; Bryan Lawrence 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.
Bryan Lawrence (Republican)Incumbent
Bryan Lawrence is an agriculture and business owner who represents District 27B in the Minnesota House. He holds a degree in agricultural business administration from the University of Minnesota, according to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Elected in 2024, he serves on the Agriculture Finance and Policy, Education Finance, and Education Policy committees. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Charles A. McConaughay (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Charles A. McConaughay is the DFL candidate for Minnesota House District 27B, challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Bryan Lawrence, per Hometown Source. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 11, 2026.
Chad Westberg (Republican), Keenan Gentry (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 30B. Not on the November ballot: Paul Novotny, 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.
Chad Westberg (Republican)
Westberg has worked more than a decade in the ethanol and agricultural-solutions industry and now operates his own small business in Elk River, per the campaign site. He has volunteered as a football coach for more than 10 years, per the campaign site.
Priorities: Supports lower taxes and government accountability · Backs law enforcement · Supports religious liberty and parental rights (per the campaign site)
Keenan Gentry (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)
Keenan Gentry is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 30B on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. This name has not yet been researched.
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.
Sherburne County 2026 election questions
Who is on the ballot in Sherburne County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Sherburne County, Minnesota sample ballot for November 3, 2026: 16 certified races, 26 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 Sherburne County ballot?
1 ballot question: School District Question 1 Approval of Bond Issue and Capital Project Levy Authorization. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Sherburne 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 →
