Clay County, Minnesota

Clay County Attorney

2 candidates are tracked for Clay County Attorney on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Amber Gustafson and Brian Melton. Candidate information follows official Clay County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Clay County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.

What this office does

District attorney or prosecutor. The district attorney is the chief prosecutor for the county or judicial district. The office decides which criminal charges to file, negotiates pleas, tries cases and, in many states, advises county government or handles child support and juvenile matters. The office sets local charging and diversion policies within state law.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. Every voter in Clay County votes on this seat.

Minnesota › Clay County › Clay County Attorney

Amber Gustafson

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Says public safety must remain a top priority and repeat, violent offenders must be held accountable
Wants to address the link between mental health, addiction, and crime through intervention strategies
Plans to partner with law enforcement, defense attorneys, and community organizations

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Amber Gustafson is a Moorhead native and former Seventh Judicial District judge who resigned the bench in 2021 after her husband, West Fargo Police Lt. Adam Gustafson, died, to raise their three children, per her campaign site and KFGO. She has been a licensed Minnesota attorney for nearly 20 years and served eight years in the Minnesota Army National Guard.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Brian Melton

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Keeping the county safe through experienced prosecution and sound judgment
Providing steady leadership under pressure
Supporting victims and working with law enforcement and community partners

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Brian Melton is the Clay County Attorney seeking re-election, with nearly 30 years prosecuting cases in the county and more than 50 jury trials, per the campaign site. He is a retired U.S. Army colonel who commanded more than 800 soldiers in Iraq and received the Bronze Star, per the campaign site. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotClay County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Clay County Attorney in 2026?

When is the Clay County Attorney 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 Clay 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 Clay County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Clay County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Clay County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4 Minnesota Senate District 1 Minnesota Senate District 4 See all 26 Clay County races

Candidate profiles

Amber Gustafson, full profile Brian Melton, full profile Official Minnesota election office