The Ballot Brief
Cottonwood County, Minnesota

Minnesota House District 21A

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 21A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: LS Rusty Nelson and Krist Wollum. Candidate information follows official Cottonwood County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

LS Rusty Nelson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Krist Wollum (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 21A. Not on the November ballot: Joe Schomacker, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Minnesota › Cottonwood County › Minnesota House District 21A

LS Rusty Nelson

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Top priorities
  • Protect rural hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and ambulance services from funding cuts
  • Strengthen volunteer fire departments and EMT services
  • Support practical solutions for farmers' and ranchers' supply chains

Per the campaign site.

Biography

LS "Rusty" Nelson is a teacher and emergency medical technician who has lived in southwest Minnesota for more than 30 years, per the campaign site. He describes his approach as thoughtful leadership grounded in listening and practical problem solving, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Krist Wollum

Republican

Top priorities
  • Strengthening oversight of taxpayer funds
  • Protecting family farms and rural communities from burdensome regulation
  • Improving rural healthcare access and support for veterans

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Wollum is a fourth-generation farmer who has operated a grain and cattle farm near Porter, Minnesota, with his nephew since 1992, per the campaign site. He served 20 years as Marble Township supervisor and as president of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association from 2017 to 2018, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotMinnesota House District 21B

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Minnesota House District 21A in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 21A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: LS Rusty Nelson and Krist Wollum. Candidate information follows official Cottonwood County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Minnesota House District 21A 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 Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Cottonwood County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 5Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8See all 19 Cottonwood County races
Candidate profiles
LS Rusty Nelson, full profileKrist Wollum, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office