56479

Who is on the ballot in 56479?

Reported by The Ballot Brief Editorial Team. Updated as public election and video sources change.

Fields below reflect the November 3, 2026 general election ballot as races are certified.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

26 races and 1 ballot question in your ZIP preview.

No single U.S. House race is set for this ZIP; see below for your district options.

About this preview
County and municipal contests depend on your exact address: use the address lookup below for the full slate. Every race links to official sources on the Minnesota voter hub.

U.S. House

ZIP 56479 spans District 7 and District 8, so your U.S. House race depends on your street address. Enter a full address to pin down your district, or browse both fields on the Minnesota hub.

U.S. Senate
4 candidates
Federal ▾
Peggy Flanagan portrait
PF
Peggy Flanagan
Biography
Flanagan serves as Minnesota's lieutenant governor, a position held since 2019, per the campaign site. Flanagan is a member of the White Earth Nation and holds a degree from the University of Minnesota, per the campaign site. The campaign site says Flanagan's background includes work as a nonprofit executive director, an organizational trainer, and a state legislator, and that Flanagan was elected to the Minneapolis School Board at age 25, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Ending corruption
  • Healthcare
  • Affording your life
Michele Tafoya portrait
MT
Michele Tafoya
REP
Biography
Michele Tafoya is a four-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and a former NFL sideline reporter whose career spanned nearly three decades, per the campaign site. The campaign site says she retired after covering Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 and is now a political and cultural commentator.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Stop the fraud
  • Law and order
  • Cut costs and taxes for the middle class
MS
Marisa Simonetti
Biography
Marisa Simonetti is the independent candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat, listed as Independent (no party) on the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table. The campaign site calls the campaign Marisa for Minnesota, with the message We the People vs. The System, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Energy
RW
Rebecca Whiting
Biography
Rebecca Whiting is the Libertarian Party candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Minnesota's U.S. Senate seat, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table. The campaign site, whiting4senate.us, invites visitors to join the movement to #EndTheWars and #DefundTheGovernment, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • No more wars
  • No more entangling alliances
  • Bring the troops home
Governor
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
AK
Amy Klobuchar
DEM
Biography
Klobuchar is a sitting U.S. Senator seeking the Minnesota governorship; she previously served as a county prosecutor and is the granddaughter of an iron-ore miner and the daughter of a newspaperman and a second-grade teacher, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Lower costs for Minnesotans
  • Make government accountable and root out fraud
  • Prepare Minnesota's workforce for the future
Lisa Demuth portrait
LD
Lisa Demuth
REP
Biography
Lisa Demuth is speaker of the Minnesota House, a fourth-term state representative from Cold Spring, a former small-business owner and an eleven-year ROCORI school board member, and the Republican nominee for governor. She is the first Black major-party nominee for Minnesota governor.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Taxes and affordability, which her campaign names as her top priority
  • Eliminating fraud in state programs
  • Public safety
Attorney General
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
Keith Ellison portrait
KE
Keith Ellison
INCUMBENT
Biography
Ellison is the incumbent Minnesota Attorney General running for re-election, per the campaign site. His office has worked on insulin cost reductions, consumer robocall protections and opioid settlement funds for the state, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Protect consumers, workers, and civil rights
  • Use the attorney general's office for public-safety and accountability cases
  • Defend reproductive rights and state legal authority
Ron Schutz portrait
RS
Ron Schutz
REP
Biography
Ron Schutz is a trial lawyer who was a partner in a national litigation firm and served as its chairman from 2019 to 2024, per his campaign site, and the Republican nominee for Minnesota attorney general.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Fighting fraud
  • Consumer protection
  • Tackling crime and supporting law enforcement
Secretary of State
4 candidates
Statewide ▾
SS
Steve Simon
INCUMBENT
Biography
Steve Simon is Minnesota's incumbent secretary of state, in office since 2015, and the DFL nominee for another term, unopposed in the August 11 primary. His office oversees elections, business filings, public records, voter information, and civic participation across Minnesota.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Defend democracy and strengthen the freedom to vote
  • Push back against election disinformation
  • Support small businesses and enhance protections for the most vulnerable
Tad Jude portrait
TJ
Tad Jude
REP
Biography
Tad Jude is a former district court judge in the 10th Judicial District and a former member of the Minnesota House, Minnesota Senate and Hennepin County Board, and the Republican nominee for secretary of state.
Top Priorities
From other published sources
  • Require photo identification to vote, per his campaign plan
  • Clean up the voter rolls and verify citizenship, per his campaign plan
  • Prevent fraud in public programs, per his campaign plan
G"
George "Chip" Tangen
Biography
George "Chip" Tangen is a Libertarian candidate for Minnesota secretary of state who qualified for the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot by nominating petition. An attorney raised in Eden Prairie, he previously served as legislative counsel to U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad in Washington.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Nonpartisan administration of Minnesota elections
  • Ballot access for independent and minor-party candidates
  • Maximizing both voter participation and election security
Seth Kuhl-Stennes portrait
SK
Seth Kuhl-Stennes
Biography
Kuhl-Stennes is a Baudette, Minnesota native who has spent 20 years working across cooperatives, for-profit businesses and nonprofits, including seven years in union roles with UFCW Local 663 and OPEIU Local 12, per the campaign site. He holds a political science degree from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Expand voting access and ballot access
  • Increase election transparency
  • Support civic participation and community accountability
State Auditor
3 candidates
Statewide ▾
Zack Filipovich portrait
ZF
Zack Filipovich
Biography
Zack Filipovich is a certified management accountant and nonprofit finance manager and a former Duluth city councilor and council president, and the DFL nominee for state auditor, unopposed in the August 11 primary. The seat is open because Julie Blaha announced in September 2025 that she would not seek re-election. His campaign emphasizes local-government oversight, financial accountability, transparency, and support for communities managing public dollars.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Transparency and accountability
  • Strengthening our communities
  • Communicating and building trust
Scott Jensen portrait
SJ
Scott Jensen
REP
Biography
Jensen is a candidate for Minnesota State Auditor and a family medicine physician with 40 years of practice in Carver County; he previously served in the Minnesota Senate and has served on a bank's board of directors as Audit Committee Chair and on his local school district board, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Stop fraud
  • Accountability and internal controls
  • Compliance and ongoing audits
JR
Jay Reeves
Biography
Jay Reeves is a Forward Independence Party candidate for Minnesota state auditor and an Army veteran. His campaign emphasizes independent oversight, public accountability, and non-major-party representation in statewide fiscal review.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Offer independent oversight of public finances
  • Strengthen accountability and transparency
  • Bring military service experience to statewide office

Countywide races in Todd County

ZIP 56479 sits in Todd County, per the Census crosswalk. These seats are voted countywide; district seats, city races and school boards need a street address. All Todd County races (26).

Todd County Auditor/Treasurer
2 candidates
County ▾
DG
Denise Gaida
INCUMBENT
Biography
Denise Gaida is the incumbent Todd County Auditor-Treasurer, running for reelection in 2026, per the county's official notice of filing. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
BJ
Brittney Jordan
Biography
Brittney Jordan appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Todd County Auditor/Treasurer, 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 Brittney Jordan.
About this race
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Todd County Auditor/Treasurer, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Todd County Recorder
1 candidate
County ▾
KB
Kimberly Bosl
Biography
Kimberly Bosl appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Todd County Recorder, 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 Kimberly Bosl.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Kimberly Bosl is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Todd County Recorder, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Todd County Sheriff
1 candidate
County ▾
MA
Mike Allen
INCUMBENT
Biography
Mike Allen is from Swanville and joined the Todd County Sheriff's Department in 2010, per an In-Home News profile from his 2022 campaign. He now serves as Todd County Sheriff. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Mike Allen is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Todd County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Todd County Attorney
1 candidate
County ▾
JE
John Eric Lindemann
Biography
John Eric Lindemann appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Todd County Attorney, 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 Eric Lindemann.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
John Eric Lindemann is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Todd County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2
1 candidate
County ▾
ML
Michael Leeser
Biography
Michael Leeser is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Clay County District Court September 3, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Clay County attorney, 2014-2024, and former president of the Clay County Bar Association, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Michael Leeser 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 8
1 candidate
County ▾
ME
Matthew E. Engelking
Biography
Matthew E. Engelking is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Stearns County District Court by Governor Tim Walz on July 22, 2019, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously chief of the juvenile division and senior attorney in the Stearns County Attorney's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Matthew E. Engelking 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 9
1 candidate
County ▾
MW
Michelle Winkis Lawson
Biography
Michelle Winkis Lawson is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Becker County District Court Nov. 14, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously chief assistant and interim Clay County Attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Michelle Winkis Lawson 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 11
1 candidate
County ▾
AP
Andrew Pearson
Biography
Andrew Pearson is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Stearns County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Nov. 1, 2013, and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a Seventh District public defender, 1999-2007, and an attorney at Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Andrew Pearson 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 12
1 candidate
County ▾
KM
Kevin M. Miller
Biography
Kevin M. Miller is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Otter Tail County District Court May 7, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Becker County attorney and owner of the Miller Law Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Kevin M. Miller 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 13
1 candidate
County ▾
MC
Michelle Clark
Biography
Michelle Clark is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Douglas County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on June 21, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Douglas County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Michelle Clark 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 14
1 candidate
County ▾
ML
Meriel Lester
Biography
Meriel Lester is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Morrison County District Court September 12, 2025, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously assistant chief of the domestic violence unit and an assistant attorney in the Stearns County Attorney's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Meriel Lester 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 15
1 candidate
County ▾
OT
Ole Tvedten
Biography
Ole Tvedten is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed September 9, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously criminal division chief and an assistant attorney in the Stearns County Attorney's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Ole Tvedten 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 21
1 candidate
County ▾
RJ
Robert J. Raupp
Biography
Robert J. Raupp is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Benton County District Court June 3, 2013, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Benton County Attorney, 2000-2013, and first assistant Benton County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Robert J. Raupp 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 22
1 candidate
County ▾
DC
Doug Clark
Biography
Doug Clark is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Wadena County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Nov. 29, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney and supervising attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Doug Clark 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 24
1 candidate
County ▾
KL
Karl L. Schmidt
Biography
Karl L. Schmidt is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Benton County District Court on July 29, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Benton County Attorney and senior assistant Benton County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Karl L. Schmidt 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 26
1 candidate
County ▾
MJ
Mark J. Herzing
Biography
Mark J. Herzing is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Mille Lacs County District Court Feb. 1, 2019, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Mille Lacs County attorney and a teacher and coach in the Cambridge-Isanti and Milaca school districts, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Mark J. Herzing 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 27
1 candidate
County ▾
TL
Tammy L. Merkins
Biography
Tammy L. Merkins is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Clay County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on June 1, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Becker County Attorney and a partner at Thorwaldsen, Malmstrom, Sorum, Majors & Merkins, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Tammy L. Merkins 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 28
1 candidate
County ▾
AC
Antoinette C. Wetzel
Biography
Antoinette C. Wetzel is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Morrison County District Court July 23, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously ran the Wetzel Law Firm and served as a qualified neutral mediator and city attorney for Royalton and Little Falls, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Antoinette C. Wetzel 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 30
1 candidate
County ▾
JM
Jade M. Rosenfeldt
Biography
Jade M. Rosenfeldt is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Clay County District Court by Governor Tim Walz on November 1, 2019, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a shareholder attorney at Vogel Law Firm, 2008-2019, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Jade M. Rosenfeldt 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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.
Minnesota Senate District 5
2 candidates
County ▾
MW
Mike Wiener
REP
Biography
Mike Wiener is a business owner who studied sales and marketing at St. Cloud Technical College, according to his official House biography. Paul Utke, per KAXE. He faces a DFL opponent in the November general election.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Opposes local property tax increases that outpace household income growth
  • Supports requiring photo identification to vote
  • Wants to limit government mandates on businesses and individuals
SF
Skylar Fynboh
DEM
Biography
Skylar Fynboh is the DFL candidate for Minnesota Senate District 5, per the Brainerd Dispatch. He grew up between Akeley and Nevis on his family's farm, attended Nevis School and the Perpich Center for the Arts, and has worked as a firefighter and EMT across Greater Minnesota; he currently works in IT with Scamp Trailers while building his own business.
About this race
Mike Wiener (Republican), Skylar Fynboh (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 5. Not on the November ballot: Paul J. Utke, 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. Every address in Todd County is in this district, per the certified district list.
Minnesota House District 5B
2 candidates
County ▾
ME
Maggie Evers
DEM
Biography
Evers is a clinical social worker specializing in mental health care, workplace-safety policy, and community crisis response, per the campaign site. She grew up in rural Minnesota and is part of a blended family that she describes as politically bipartisan, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Wants to make quality health care, mental health care and emergency services more accessible and affordable, including broadband funding for telehealth
  • Supports lowering vehicle registration costs and addressing rural property taxes
  • Backs keeping public school funding in the public school system
JC
Jonathan Claussen
REP
Biography
Claussen is a family physician who practiced for more than 25 years at Lakewood Health System in Staples and Browerville, Minnesota, before setting aside his practice to run for office, per the campaign site. He also serves as president of goFam Ministries, an organization focused on families and marriages, and hosts a weekly podcast, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
From the campaign site
  • Supporting family-focused policies and parental involvement in children's upbringing
  • Protecting Second Amendment rights and farming autonomy
  • Reducing government regulation and supporting free markets
About this race
Maggie Evers (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Jonathan Claussen (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 5B. Not on the November ballot: Mike Wiener, 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. Every address in Todd County is in this district, per the certified district list.

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