One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court, Seat 18, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Christian Sean Wilton. Candidate information follows official Dakota County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Christian Sean Wilton 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 1st Judicial District covers Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Scott and Sibley 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.
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 › Dakota County › Judge, Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court, Seat 18
Nonpartisan
Christian Sean Wilton is a judge of the Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Scott County District Court Sept. 27, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota and assistant Ramsey County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Who is running for Judge, Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court, Seat 18 in 2026?
One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court, Seat 18, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Christian Sean Wilton. Candidate information follows official Dakota County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Judge, Minnesota 1st Judicial District Court, Seat 18 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 Dakota 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 Dakota County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Dakota County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
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