Nobles County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
20 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 16 Nobles County races, led by the Nobles County Commissioner District 2 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Gene Metz
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Gene Metz Nonpartisan
- Supporting agriculture and the infrastructure needed to sustain it
- Fiscal caution about relying on rising property values and tax bases
- Upgrading the county bridge and road system and completing the Lewis & Clark Water System
About Gene Metz
Gene Metz is a crop and livestock farmer and owner of Metz Waste Applicators who has served as Nobles County Commissioner for District 2 since 2012, per The Globe. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and has served as president of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association and the Minnesota Custom Applicators Association, per The Globe. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Gene Metz is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Chris Dybevick
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chris Dybevick Nonpartisan Incumbent
Chris Dybevick is the current Nobles County District 5 commissioner, having worked with every county department and the board of commissioners over eight years in office, per the county's officials directory. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Chris Dybevick is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Ryan Kruger
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ryan Kruger Nonpartisan Incumbent
Ryan Kruger is the Nobles County Sheriff, appointed in 2021 and elected to a full term in 2022, per The Globe. He graduated from Ridgewater College and Alexandria Technical College with a degree in criminal justice and law enforcement and began his career with the Nobles County Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 2002. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Ryan Kruger is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Braden Hoefert
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Braden Hoefert Nonpartisan Incumbent
Braden Hoefert was appointed Nobles County Attorney in July 2023, filling the unexpired term after the death of the prior county attorney, per the Globe. He previously served as deputy county attorney prosecuting felonies for the county, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Braden Hoefert is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Kayla M. Johnson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kayla M. Johnson Nonpartisan
Kayla M. Johnson was appointed to the bench in Minnesota's Fifth Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz in March 2025, per her former law firm's website. She was a founding partner of Smith & Johnson from 2015 to 2025, focusing on real estate law and estate planning, and is a graduate of Hamline University and its law school, per the same source.
Kayla 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 5Nonpartisan race · Christopher Cain · Christina M. Wietzema
Christopher Cain Nonpartisan
Christopher Cain is a candidate for Minnesota Fifth Judicial District Court, Seat 5. He has practiced law for 30 years, serving as an Assistant County Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, Interim City Attorney and defense/family law attorney, per his campaign site. He has also served as an investigator and panel chair with the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board and as an adjunct law instructor, per the same source.
Christina M. Wietzema Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Christina M. Wietzema was appointed to the Fifth Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton in 2012 and was elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She earned her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law and previously worked as an assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Christopher Cain and Christina M. Wietzema are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for this seat. Minnesota's 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8Nonpartisan race · Paul J. Gunderson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Paul J. Gunderson Nonpartisan
Paul J. Gunderson is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Nicollet County District Court March 4, 2025, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Brown County attorney and an attorney at Blethen Berens and Berens, Rodenberg & O'Connor, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Paul J. Gunderson 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Nonpartisan race · Stephen J. Ferrazzano II
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II Nonpartisan
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Watonwan County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on January 12, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender, 1998-2018, and former mayor of Tracy, Minnesota, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 12Nonpartisan race · Patrick Rohland
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Patrick Rohland Nonpartisan
Patrick Rohland is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Redwood County District Court Sept. 9, 2013, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Redwood Falls city attorney and an attorney with the Redwood County Attorney's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Patrick Rohland 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 13Nonpartisan race · Troy G. Timmerman
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Troy G. Timmerman Nonpartisan
Troy G. Timmerman is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed Assistant Chief Judge of the Faribault County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Jan. 18, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Faribault County Attorney and an assistant public defender and managing attorney for the Fifth Judicial District, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Troy G. Timmerman 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 15Nonpartisan race · Robert Docherty
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert Docherty Nonpartisan
Robert Docherty is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Brown County District Court Aug. 17, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously managing attorney of the Mankato office of the Fifth Judicial District Public Defender's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Robert Docherty 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 4Nonpartisan race · Richard Nelsen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Richard Nelsen Nonpartisan
Richard Nelsen appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles 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 Richard Nelsen.
Richard Nelsen is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 5Nonpartisan race · Paul W Langseth
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Paul W Langseth Nonpartisan
Paul W Langseth appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, 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 Paul W Langseth.
Paul W Langseth is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nobles County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, 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.
Nobles County is split across 2 Minnesota House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota House: 2 districtsDistricts 21A, 21B
Minnesota House District 21ALS Rusty Nelson (D) · Krist Wollum (R)
LS Rusty Nelson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- 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.
About LS Rusty Nelson
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.
Krist Wollum Republican
- 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.
About Krist Wollum
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.
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.
Full race pageMinnesota House District 21BJon Wilson (D) · Marj J Fogelman (R)
Jon Wilson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Focuses on law enforcement support
- Supports rural economic growth and farming interests
- Prioritizes EMT and emergency-services funding
Per the campaign site.
About Jon Wilson
Jon Wilson is a teacher in St. James who previously served two years as Mayor of St. James and five years on the Fairmont School Board, per his campaign site. Wilson describes himself as a Centrist Democrat running for the Minnesota House in District 21B, per his campaign site.
Marj J Fogelman Republican Incumbent
Marj Fogelman is the sitting Republican representative for Minnesota House District 21B, per the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her occupation is listed as business owner; she holds an A.A.S. in accounting from Southwestern Technical College, and was first elected in 2022, per the official member directory.
Jon Wilson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Marj J Fogelman (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 21B; Marj J Fogelman 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 Senate District 21Chris Knoll (R) · Caitlyn Sanow-Minett (D)
Chris Knoll Republican
Chris Knoll is CEO of Minnewaska Community Health Services and a licensed Department of Human Services provider and nursing home administrator, per his campaign site. He holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University and a master's degree in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato, per the campaign site. He is running for Minnesota Senate District 21.
Caitlyn Sanow-Minett Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Support strong communities and reliable services for southwest Minnesota
- Favor data driven, community led decisions
- Promote transparent and accountable government
Per the campaign site.
About Caitlyn Sanow-Minett
Caitlyn Sanow-Minett is a lifelong southwest Minnesota resident from Tracy who now lives in Lake Benton, per the campaign site. She works as a circulation supervisor at an academic library and is a local union leader, and previously worked in childcare and hospitality while earning a bachelor's degree in English literature from Southwest Minnesota State University, per the campaign site.
Chris Knoll (Republican), Caitlyn Sanow-Minett (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 21. Not on the November ballot: Bill Weber, 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 pageSee your full ballot
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 Nobles County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Nobles County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county sheriff and county attorney candidates stand on agriculture and the budget. 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 →
How do I see my exact Nobles 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 →