Gunderson was on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Watonwan County election filings. Certified results will appear here once the election office certifies the count. Minnesota certifies the general election by November 19, 2026; county canvasses are due November 11.
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.
Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.
This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. One name is on the ballot for this seat.
This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.
We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.
Minnesota › Watonwan County › Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8
This report is cited to the outlet that published it. We do not call races.
Reports are checked daily until Minnesota certifies on November 19; a certified winner replaces the report on that day.
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.
Who is running for Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8 in 2026?
One candidate was tracked for Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8 in the November 3, 2026 runoff: Paul J. Gunderson. Candidate information follows official Watonwan County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8 election in Minnesota?
Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Certified results will appear on this page as the election office certifies them. Minnesota certifies the general election by November 19, 2026; county canvasses are due November 11. Voting rules for Minnesota are on the Minnesota election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Watonwan County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Who won the Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8 race?
Not yet reported by the outlets we checked; Minnesota certifies on November 19. We do not call races.
Candidate roster from official Watonwan County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Watonwan County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
19 tracked races in Watonwan County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.