2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 5A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dan S. Mitchell and Krista Knudsen. Candidate information follows official Wadena County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Dan S. Mitchell (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Krista Knudsen (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 5A; Krista Knudsen 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.
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, Krista Knudsen, is on the ballot.
Minnesota › Wadena County › Minnesota House District 5A
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Dan Mitchell of rural Pequot Lakes served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a computer and communications specialist and now works as a cybersecurity engineer, according to the Park Rapids Enterprise. He also has experience in emergency services work, including EMS and firefighting, per the Detroit Lakes Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Republican Incumbent
Per the campaign site.
Krista Knudsen co-owns Cowboy's Restaurant in Lake Shore with her husband Kevin, according to her campaign site. She served eight years on the Lake Shore City Council and two years as mayor before her election to the Minnesota House, where she represents District 5A.
Who is running for Minnesota House District 5A in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Minnesota House District 5A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dan S. Mitchell and Krista Knudsen. Candidate information follows official Wadena County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Minnesota House District 5A 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 Wadena 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.
Candidate roster from official Wadena 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 Wadena County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
28 tracked races in Wadena County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.