The Ballot Brief
Scott County, Minnesota

Minnesota Senate District 54

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 54 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Rick Olson and Ben Bakeberg. Candidate information follows official Scott County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Rick Olson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Ben Bakeberg (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 54. Not on the November ballot: Eric R. Pratt, 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.

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.

Minnesota › Scott County › Minnesota Senate District 54

Rick Olson

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Top priorities
  • Emphasizes investment in K-12 schools
  • Supports fiscal responsibility and reducing government waste
  • Supports government accountability and oversight of tax dollars

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Rick Olson has worked as a K-12 public school business manager for more than a decade and as a private business manager for 15 years, per campaign site. Rick Olson previously served as a Michigan state representative from 2011 to 2012 and holds degrees from Michigan State University and Stanford Law School, per campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Ben Bakeberg

Republican

Top priorities
  • Supports property tax relief and a Social Security tax exemption
  • Authored a Republican education bill and has backed funding for mental health and reading assistance programs
  • Supports direct public safety aid to communities and a bill to reduce lake pollution

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Ben Bakeberg is a middle school principal who describes himself as the only current school principal in Minnesota state government, according to his campaign site. He currently represents Minnesota House District 54B and is running for the open Senate District 54 seat after Sen. Eric Pratt entered the race for Congress, per the Prior Lake News Compass.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotMinnesota Senate District 55

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Minnesota Senate District 54 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota Senate District 54 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Rick Olson and Ben Bakeberg. Candidate information follows official Scott County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Minnesota Senate District 54 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 Scott 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 Scott County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Scott County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Minnesota Senate District 57Minnesota Senate District 58Minnesota House District 22BSee all 33 Scott County races
Candidate profiles
Rick Olson, full profileBen Bakeberg, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office