Candidate roundup: WTIP election coverage 2026

The 2026 election season is underway, with voters set to decide races ranging from local boards to state and federal offices. In recent weeks, the WTIP News Department has interviewed candidates running for several offices serving Cook County and the surrounding area. The interviews give candidates an opportunity to discuss their backgrounds, priorities and reasons for seeking office. Audio from those interviews is organized below by race.

Cook County Sheriff

As part of WTIP’s 2026 election coverage, WTIP hosted a live candidate forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, featuring the two candidates running for the Cook County sheriff’s race.

The Nov. 3 general election will include a contested race for Cook County Sheriff between Ben Hallberg and Ty Backlund, both of whom currently work in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Backlund is a deputy, and Hallberg has served as Cook County’s interim sheriff since May, following the resignation and retirement of Pat Eliasen.

Topics discussed during the one-hour live forum moderated by WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins included public safety, staffing challenges within the Sheriff’s Office, emergency response, the role of local law enforcement amid federal agency operations, the use of law enforcement technology, and other issues facing Cook County. Audio below.

Candidates for Cook County Sheriff Ben Hallberg and Ty Backlund | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Cook County Commissioners

Candidates running for Cook County commissioner in Districts 1 and 5 recently spoke with WTIP about local issues and their priorities ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

District 1 Candidate Forum – Deb White and Matt Kelm

On Monday, Sept. 28, WTIP hosted a one-hour live candidate forum featuring incumbent Deb White and challenger Matt Kelm, who are running for the Cook County Commissioner District 1 seat.

Topics included issues facing Cook County, housing and the cost of living, county spending, the county’s relationship with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the county’s role in providing services to children and families, emergency response, growth on the east end of the county, and more. Below is audio of the candidate forum, moderated by WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins.

District 1 Candidates Matt Kelm and Deb White | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

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District 5 Candidate Chris Homyak

District 5 Commissioner Candidate Chris Homyak | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Chris Homyak is running unopposed for the District 5 seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Ginny Storlie has held the seat for over a decade but announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Homyak individually about his background and interest in running for county commissioner, as well as issues facing the county, including housing and the cost of living, potential development of Taconite Harbor, county spending, emergency services, and the county’s relationship with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Audio is below.

District 3 Candidate Forum – Dave Mills and Roger Westerlind

Last week, on Monday, Sept. 21, WTIP hosted a live candidate forum featuring incumbent Dave Mills and Roger Westerlind, who are running for the Cook County Commissioner District 3 seat. Audio of that candidate forum is below.

Grand Marais City Council

The Nov. 3 general election ballot includes a race for Grand Marais mayor and three candidates running for two Grand Marais City Council seats.

WTIP spoke individually with each candidate about issues facing Grand Marais, including housing, short-term rentals, city services, infrastructure, the wastewater treatment facility, economic development, and other community priorities.

Grand Marais Mayor – Tracy Benson

Incumbent Tracy Benson is running unopposed for another term as Grand Marais mayor.

Benson spoke with WTIP’s Josh Hinke about issues facing the city, her experience serving as mayor, and priorities for the city moving forward.

Listen to the interview below.

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Grand Marais City Council

Grand Marais City Council Candidate Bill Lovaas

Grand Marais City Council Candidate Dane Kufa

Three candidates are running for two seats on the Grand Marais City Council: incumbent Ben Peters, incumbent Bill Lovaas, and Dane Kufa. The two candidates with the most votes will secure a seat on the city council.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with each candidate individually about city priorities, areas for improvement, housing, infrastructure, protecting dark skies, clean water, and more.

Listen to the interviews below.

North Shore Health Hospital District Board

The Nov. 3 general election ballot includes races for representatives from three districts to serve on the North Shore Health Hospital Board.

WTIP spoke individually with each candidate about issues facing the hospital. Conversations include discussion about HR1, Medicaid cuts, staffing, board dynamics, and more.

District 1

Patricia Winchell-Dahl

WTIP spoke to Patty Winchell-Dahl about her unopposed bid to represent the first district of the North Shore Health Board. She is the incumbent and board treasurer.

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District 3

Steven Frykman

WTIP spoke to Steven Frykman about running as an incumbent for the District Three seat on the North Shore Health Board. Steven is currently the board clerk.

Sharon Graif Berglund

WTIP spoke to Sharon Graif Berglund, who retired after 40 years at North Shore Health. She told WTIP that she always wanted to serve on the board since she was an employee.

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District 5

Randy Wiitala

WTIP spoke to current North Shore Health Board Chair, Randy Wiitala. Mr. Wiitala is looking to return to the board after a over a decade of experience.

Pat Campanaro

WTIP spoke to death doula Pat Campanaro about running for the North Shore Health Board and her desire to run a campaign that looks to the future.

ISD 166 School Board

WTIP spoke with candidates running for the ISD 166 School Board as part of the station’s 2026 election coverage ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Rena Rogers is running unopposed in District 3, while Dan Shirley is running unopposed in District 5. WTIP spoke individually with Rogers and Shirley about issues facing the school district and their priorities for the future.

Topics included enrollment, the voter-approved school construction projects, and the district’s long-term needs. Listeners also had the opportunity to submit questions to ask candidates as part of WTIP’s election coverage.

District 1 candidate Robert James, who is also running unopposed, declined WTIP’s interview request.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Rogers, and WTIP’s Josh Hinke spoke with Shirley. Audio of both interviews is available below.

Soil and Water Conservation District Board

WTIP spoke with the two candidates running for the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District as part of the station’s 2026 coverage ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Stan Tull is running unopposed in District 2, while Gail Gieseke is running unopposed in District 4. WTIP spoke individually with Tull and Gieseke about issues facing the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District and their priorities for the future.

Topics included funding challenges, public engagement, conservation initiatives, staffing, and the district’s long-term needs.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Tull and Gieseke. Audio of both individual interviews is available below.

WTIP Staff October 3, 2026