Mower County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
23 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 17 Mower County races, led by the Mower County Commissioner District 3 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · Jason Duffy · Joe Landherr
Jason Duffy and Joe Landherr are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Commissioner District 3.
Jason Duffy Nonpartisan
- Keeping property taxes cost-effective for residents
- Environmental concerns
- Public health
About Jason Duffy
Jason Duffy appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Jason Duffy.
Joe Landherr Nonpartisan
Joe Landherr appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Joe Landherr.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Dan Sparks
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dan Sparks Nonpartisan Incumbent
Dan Sparks is the Mower County Commissioner for District 4 and Vice-Chair of the county board, per Mower County government pages. He represented Minnesota Senate District 27 from 2003 to 2020 before joining the county board and works as a liaison between the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, the state legislature, and state and federal agencies. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Dan Sparks is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Mike Ankeny
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mike Ankeny Nonpartisan Incumbent
Mike Ankeny is the Mower County Commissioner for District 5 and chair of the county board of commissioners, per the county's government website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Mike Ankeny is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · TJ Lynch · Steven Sandvik
TJ Lynch and Steven Sandvik are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Sheriff.
TJ Lynch Nonpartisan
- Leadership with integrity
- Building community trust and strengthening relationships
- Mental health support and recruitment and development of staff
Per the campaign site.
About TJ Lynch
TJ Lynch is a captain in the Mower County Sheriff's Office who joined the office in 2014 after serving as Chief of Police in Lyle, per KTTC. He is challenging incumbent Sheriff Steve Sandvik. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Steven Sandvik Nonpartisan
- Weighs budgeting and service decisions by whether they make Mower County safer
- Built an expanded staff wellness program including counseling sessions and take-home squad cars for deputies
- Partners with cities, schools, and healthcare providers on emergency preparedness
Per the campaign site.
About Steven Sandvik
Steven Sandvik is the incumbent Mower County Sheriff, sworn in January 2019 with more than 28 years of law enforcement experience, and is seeking a third term, per his campaign site and the Austin Daily Herald. He chairs the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Kristen Nelsen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kristen Nelsen Nonpartisan
Kristen Nelsen has served as Mower County Attorney since 2006, winning reelection in 2010, 2014 and 2018, per the Post Bulletin. Her current 2026 filing status was not separately confirmed. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Kristen Nelsen is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Jacob C. Allen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jacob C. Allen Nonpartisan
Jacob C. Allen is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Olmsted County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Aug. 31, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously managing attorney of the Third District Public Defender's Office and a partner at O'Brien & Wolf L.L.P., per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Jacob C. Allen 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 6Nonpartisan race · Karen R. Duncan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Karen R. Duncan Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Karen R. Duncan was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on March 1, 2013, and was elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and previously served as chief public defender for the Third Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Karen R. Duncan 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 7Nonpartisan race · Dwight Luhmann
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dwight Luhmann Nonpartisan
Dwight Luhmann is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Winona County District Court on July 15, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a solo practitioner and city attorney for Preston, 2007-2024, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Dwight Luhmann 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 15Nonpartisan race · Erin Lindhart Felten
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Erin Lindhart Felten Nonpartisan
Erin Lindhart Felten is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Olmsted County District Court on Aug. 6, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a referee for the Third Judicial District in Olmsted County and an attorney at Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey LLP, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Erin Lindhart Felten 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 17Nonpartisan race · Christopher A Neisen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Christopher A Neisen Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Christopher A Neisen was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on June 29, 2018, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and previously was managing partner at Wornson, Goggins, Neisen, Morris & Brever, P.C. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Christopher A Neisen 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 22Nonpartisan race · Jeffrey M Johnson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeffrey M Johnson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Jeffrey M Johnson was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on March 23, 2018, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and previously served as Third Judicial District Chief Public Defender. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Jeffrey M Johnson 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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.
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Supervisor District 3Nonpartisan race · James Kellogg
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
James Kellogg Nonpartisan Incumbent
James Kellogg, who goes by Jim, serves as a supervisor on the Mower Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
James Kellogg is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 4Nonpartisan race · Randy Smith
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Randy Smith Nonpartisan Incumbent
Randy Smith appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Randy Smith.
Randy Smith is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mower County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Mower County is split across 4 Minnesota Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 23, 26
Minnesota Senate District 23Angie Hanson (D) · Gene Dornink (R)
Angie Hanson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Give rural Minnesota a strong voice in the legislature
- Address economic hardship in rural communities
Per the campaign site.
About Angie Hanson
Angie Hanson is a special education teacher and union president who serves on the Albert Lea school board, per the campaign site. She is the local organizing chair for Save Our Hospital, formed after her community lost hospital services, and serves on Albert Lea's Human Rights Commission, per the campaign site.
Gene Dornink Republican Incumbent
Gene Dornink was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2020 and re-elected in 2022, and is serving his second term representing District 23, according to his official Senate biography. He serves as ranking minority member of the Labor Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Angie Hanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Gene Dornink (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 23; Gene Dornink is the sitting member, per the Minnesota Senate's official member directory (senate.mn). 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.
Full race pageMinnesota Senate District 26Cherie Johnson (R) · Jack Hedin (D)
Cherie Johnson Republican
- Making life more affordable through responsible spending
- Supporting local farms, small businesses, and education
- Upholding transparency and accountability in government
Per the campaign site.
About Cherie Johnson
Johnson is an educator who teaches and coaches and has also served as a foster parent, per the campaign site. She and her husband Ben have raised seven children in Winona and she serves on local community boards, per the campaign site.
Jack Hedin Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Support locally owned businesses and oppose out of state corporate consolidation
- Promote cover crop practices to address nitrate runoff and soil conservation
- Address health care workforce shortages and affordability
Per the campaign site.
About Jack Hedin
Jack Hedin is a farmer and small business owner who built Featherstone Farm in southeast Minnesota over 30 years, developing greenhouses, crop storage facilities and a regional trucking network for produce, per the campaign site.
Cherie Johnson (Republican), Jack Hedin (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 26. Not on the November ballot: Jeremy R. Miller, 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.
Full race pageMinnesota House: 2 districtsDistricts 23B, 26B
Minnesota House District 23BPatricia Mueller (R) · Christoph Dundas (D)
Patricia Mueller Republican Incumbent
- Limiting government regulation of business, healthcare and education decisions
- Protecting individual rights and local authority
Per the campaign site.
About Patricia Mueller
Mueller graduated from Winona State University with a degree in English education in 2003 and later earned a master's in curriculum and instruction and a doctorate in education leadership from Minnesota State University Moorhead, per the campaign site. She has worked as an educator for 18 years in the Twin Cities, Blooming Prairie, Indianapolis, Austin and China, and now lives in Austin, Minnesota, per the campaign site.
Christoph Dundas Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Address the rising cost of food, rent, health care and housing
- Increase the availability of affordable rental housing
- Support adequate funding for Greater Minnesota schools
Per the campaign site.
About Christoph Dundas
Christoph Dundas is a career educator who grew up in Wells, Minnesota, per the campaign site. He earned the 2025 Austin Teacher of the Year award and was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, per the campaign site.
Patricia Mueller (Republican), Christoph Dundas (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 23B; Patricia Mueller is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). 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.
Full race pageMinnesota House District 26BGregory M. Davids (R) · Allie Wolf (D)
Gregory M. Davids Republican Incumbent
Gregory M. Davids is the Republican candidate for Minnesota House District 26B on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. Gregory M. Davids is a sitting member for the district, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Greg Davids is a business and farm owner with a B.S. in social science from Winona State University, according to his official House biography. First elected in 1991, he is serving his 17th non-consecutive term representing District 26B and currently co-chairs the House Taxes Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Allie Wolf Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Allie Wolf grew up in Spring Valley in Fillmore County and studied mass communications at Winona State University before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 2011 as a linguist, per her campaign site. She later used the GI Bill to earn an administrative assistant degree and a bachelor's degree in computer science, per the campaign site. She is running for Minnesota House District 26B.
Gregory M. Davids (Republican), Allie Wolf (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 26B; Gregory M. Davids is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). 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.
Full race pageBallot questions
2 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Mower County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
School District Question 1: Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 203 (Hayfield Community Schools) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $646.12 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,250 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $646.12 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,250 per pupil for ten years.
School District Question 1: Approval of School Building BondsIndependent School District No. 492 (Austin) · Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $24,900,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to safety, security, and accessibility improvements, building capital maintenance and infrastructure,….
Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $24,900,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to safety, security, and accessibility improvements, building capital maintenance and infrastructure,….
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Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Who is on the ballot in Mower County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Mower County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county sheriff and county attorney candidates stand on health care, schools and jobs. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Minnesota?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are listed on the Minnesota election hub. Minnesota election hub →
What ballot questions are on the Mower County ballot?
2 ballot questions: Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization; Approval of School Building Bonds. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Mower County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →