The Ballot Brief
Cook County, Minnesota

Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Steven Bradley Hanke. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Steven Bradley Hanke 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 › Cook County › Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11

Steven Bradley Hanke

Nonpartisan

Biography

Steven Bradley Hanke is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Lake County District Court December 4, 2023, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously interim and deputy city attorney for the City of Duluth, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Next on your ballotJudge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 14

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11 in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Steven Bradley Hanke. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11 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 Cook 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 Cook 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 Cook County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

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

Also on your ballot
Cook County Commissioner District 1Cook County Commissioner District 3Cook County Commissioner District 5See all 15 Cook County races
Candidate profiles
Steven Bradley Hanke, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office