Olmsted County, Minnesota

Olmsted County Attorney

2 candidates are tracked for Olmsted County Attorney on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Karen MacLaughlin and Michael Walters. Candidate information follows official Olmsted County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

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

About the Olmsted County Attorney

The county attorney's office prosecutes all felony crimes committed by adults in Olmsted County and lesser crimes in the townships. It also prosecutes juveniles who commit crimes, whatever the seriousness, supports crime victims, serves as legal advisor to the county board and county departments, and represents the county in civil cases where it has no insurance coverage. The office has criminal, juvenile, civil (including child protection cases) and child support divisions, per the county.

There is one elected county attorney, and every Olmsted County voter votes on the office. The new term begins January 6, 2027, per the county. The salary was $217,692 a year when the current attorney was appointed in April 2025, per the Post Bulletin.

Michael Walters was appointed to fill the role left open when Mark Ostrem retired at the end of March 2025, and he serves the rest of the term, through January 5, 2027, per the county. He is on the ballot.

Official source: Olmsted County: County Attorney, Olmsted County: Michael Walters named county attorney

Minnesota › Olmsted County › Olmsted County Attorney

Karen MacLaughlin

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Modernizing public safety approaches in the county attorney's office
Creating a public data dashboard showing case charges and outcomes

Per the campaign site.

Biography

An attorney for more than 27 years, including about 17 years as an assistant Olmsted County attorney, and a member of the Rochester School Board (director and treasurer) since 2020, per KTTC. She ran for county attorney in 2022 and is in her second term on the school board, per the Post Bulletin.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Michael Walters

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Reducing court wait times for victims in newly charged felony cases
Ensuring fair, transparent processes in the criminal justice system

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Michael Walters is the incumbent Olmsted County Attorney, appointed in April 2025 to complete the unexpired term of former county attorney Mark Ostrem and now seeking election to the office, per KTTC. He grew up in Rochester, is a Century High School and University of Minnesota graduate, and previously served as managing attorney for the office's adult and child protection division, per the same report.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotOlmsted County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Olmsted County Attorney in 2026?

When is the Olmsted County Attorney 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 Olmsted 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 Olmsted County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Olmsted County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Olmsted County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2 Olmsted County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3 Minnesota Senate District 20 See all 22 Olmsted County races

Candidate profiles

Karen MacLaughlin, full profile Michael Walters, full profile Official Minnesota election office