Jackson County, Minnesota

Jackson County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Jackson County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mike DeJong and Adam Koch. Candidate information follows official Jackson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.

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 Jackson County votes on this seat.

Minnesota › Jackson County › Jackson County Sheriff

Mike DeJong

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Wants to work with local schools to keep children safe and address rural concerns like farm theft and response times
Emphasizes open, clear communication with the public, staff, and local government
Committed to efficient staffing and budgeting so tax dollars enhance community safety

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Mike DeJong is a Jackson County sheriff's deputy who began his law enforcement career in 2004 as a Nobles County correctional officer and has served as a Jackson County deputy for the past decade, per The Globe of Worthington. He also serves with the Jackson Fire Department and announced his candidacy after Sheriff Shawn Haken said he would retire.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Adam Koch

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Leading with responsibility to deputies, their families, and county residents
Continuing to build relationships with local, state and federal agencies

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Adam Koch is an Investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, where he has worked since 2014. He graduated from Alexandria Technical College's law enforcement program in 2004 and previously worked in Lakefield and Mountain Lake, Minnesota, and for the Rapid City, South Dakota Police Department, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotJackson County Attorney

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Jackson County Sheriff in 2026?

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

The rest of your Jackson County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Jackson County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2 Jackson County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4 Minnesota Senate District 21 See all 16 Jackson County races

Candidate profiles

Mike DeJong, full profile Adam Koch, full profile Official Minnesota election office