The first local special election of the year was Feb. 10, and two northwest Minnesota counties hosted special elections to fill vacancies on their county boards of commissioners.
Robert Durant will now represent Mahnomen County District 1, which is the city of Mahnomen’s district. He garnered 46 votes compared to his opponent, Brian Ose, with 40 votes. Julie Hanson earned all 19 of the special election’s write-in results.
Ross Pape was sworn in Tuesday, Feb. 17, after being successful in the Polk County special election for Commissioner District 5. The district includes wards in East Grand Forks and surrounding townships. Pape garnered 321 votes compared to his opponent, Brad Grunhovd, who received 79 votes.
Most special elections can only occur on specific dates, per state statute. For 2026 those dates are:
- Feb. 10
- April 14
- May 12
- Aug. 11
The next special elections in Northern Minnesota are April 14, when the Aitkin and Staples-Motley school districts will ask voters to approve building projects.
-
Megan Buffington/KAXEKerri Hart was in the vehicle with Jack Drumbeater at the time of the crash. Hart faces a criminal vehicular homicide charge; Drumbeater was charged with murder. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Itasca County Sheriff's Office said the death appears to be a result of natural causes. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating. -
Events this week include a book sale in Walker, the First Friday Art Walk in Grand Rapids and a pancake breakfast at Lake Bemidji State Park. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe early season has been marked with low water levels, cool spells and storm damage.
