Clearwater County, Minnesota

Clearwater County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Clearwater County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Adam Gunderson and Clarence LaCroix. Candidate information follows official Clearwater County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Adam Gunderson and Clarence LaCroix advanced from the August 11 nonpartisan primary with about 35 and 31 percent, eliminating Vern Wittenberg and Larry D. Johnson, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results; the top two meet on the November 3 ballot.

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

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

Minnesota › Clearwater County › Clearwater County Sheriff

Adam Gunderson

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Officer retention through better wages and training
Accountability and integrity in daily operations
Deputy training and modern equipment

Per KAXE.

Biography

Gunderson previously served as a police chief for 21 years and has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience overall, alongside 21 years in the Minnesota National Guard, per the campaign site. Gunderson's background includes department leadership, budget management and training oversight, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Clarence LaCroix

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Resource allocation within the sheriff's office
Mental health crisis response

Per the KAXE.

Biography

In KAXE's questionnaire he focuses on how the office allocates its resources and how it answers mental health crises. No occupation detail was verifiable from an official or campaign source within this review. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

Next on your ballotClearwater County Commissioner District 1

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Clearwater County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Clearwater County Sheriff 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Clearwater County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Clearwater County Commissioner District 3 Clearwater County Commissioner District 5 Clearwater County Auditor/Treasurer See all 23 Clearwater County races

Candidate profiles

Adam Gunderson, full profile Clarence LaCroix, full profile Official Minnesota election office