2 candidates are tracked for Cook County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ty Backlund and Ben Hallberg. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
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 Cook County votes on this seat.
Minnesota › Cook County › Cook County Sheriff
Nonpartisan
Ty Backlund is a Cook County Sheriff's deputy running for sheriff in 2026 to succeed retiring Sheriff Pat Eliasen, per WTIP. He served in the U.S. Army Civil Affairs in Afghanistan, then worked as a police officer in Mesa, Arizona, and as a Cook County probation officer before joining the Sheriff's Office in 2023. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Nonpartisan
Per the campaign site.
Ben Hallberg is chief deputy of the Cook County Sheriff's Office and a 23-year resident of Grand Marais, per WTIP. The county board appointed him interim sheriff in March 2026 after Sheriff Pat Eliasen resigned, per WTIP. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Who is running for Cook County Sheriff in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Cook County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ty Backlund and Ben Hallberg. Candidate information follows official Cook County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Cook 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 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.
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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