The Ballot Brief
Polk County, Minnesota

Minnesota Senate District 1

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mark Johnson and Bjorn Solberg. Candidate information follows official Polk County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Mark Johnson (Republican), Bjorn Solberg (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 1; Mark Johnson 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.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Mark Johnson, is on the ballot.

Minnesota › Polk County › Minnesota Senate District 1

Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

  • Supports reducing regulatory hurdles for small businesses
  • Supports policies to attract and retain workers and families in Northwestern Minnesota

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Mark Johnson is a partner in Johnson Concrete Construction, a third-generation family business in East Grand Forks, and in a small law firm, per his campaign site. Johnson earned a degree in Finance and Economics from Bethel University and a J.D. from the University of North Dakota, per his campaign site. Johnson is a candidate for Minnesota Senate District 1, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Bjorn Solberg

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Top priorities

  • Support family farms and rural economic development
  • Expand affordable childcare for families and small businesses
  • Protect funding for rural hospitals, emergency services and schools

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Bjorn Solberg is an entrepreneur in agricultural marketing who acquired Hugh's Gardens LLC, an organic agriculture business that works with family farms, per the campaign site. He holds a degree in Secondary Education for Social Studies from Concordia College and has worked as a substitute teacher and basketball coach, per the campaign site. He has held leadership roles with the Halstad Business League and the Clay County Farmers Union and received the 2023 Great Plains Food Bank Hunger Relief Champion award, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotMinnesota House District 1B

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Minnesota Senate District 1 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mark Johnson and Bjorn Solberg. Candidate information follows official Polk County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Minnesota Senate District 1 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Polk County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 1Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 4See all 22 Polk County races
Candidate profiles
Mark Johnson, full profileBjorn Solberg, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office