The Ballot Brief
Becker County, Minnesota

Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Michael Leeser. Candidate information follows official Becker County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

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.

What this office does

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.

Minnesota › Becker County › Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2

Michael Leeser

Nonpartisan

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.

Next on your ballotJudge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 8

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2 in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Michael Leeser. Candidate information follows official Becker County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 2 election in Minnesota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are on the Minnesota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Becker 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Becker County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Becker County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Becker County ballot

28 tracked races in Becker County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 9Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 12See all 28 Becker County races
Candidate profiles
Michael Leeser, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office