Cook County local election results for 2026
The following are unofficial results from Cook County’s local races in the Nov. 3 general election.
Cook County Board of Commissioners
*County Commissioner Deb White was re-elected in District 1 with 56% of the vote. White’s opponent Matt Kelm received 43% of the vote. White 233 – Kelm 182.
In an audio statement sent to WTIP following the election, Kelm thanked those who voted for him, acknowledged the results, and thanked White for wanting to continue the hard work to represent the voters of District 1.
*David Mills won his third term to the Cook County Board of Commissioners for District 3. Mills defeated Roger Westerlind with 62% of the vote. Mills 463 – Westerlind 280.
*Chris Homyak will be the next County Commissioner for District 5. Homyak ran unopposed and received 487 votes.
Cook County Sheriff
*Ben Hallberg has been elected the next Cook County sheriff, defeating Ty Backlund in Tuesday’s election.
Hallberg received 2,241 votes, or approximately 67% of the vote, compared to Backlund’s 1,059 votes, or 32%.
In a statement sent to WTIP following the election, Backlund acknowledged the results and congratulated Hallberg on his victory.
“I respect the outcome of this election and congratulate Ben on his election as Sheriff. I am grateful to everyone who supported my candidacy and shared my vision for a more community-focused Sheriff’s Office. As the Office moves forward, I encourage residents with concerns or suggestions to direct them to their newly elected Sheriff. I am proud of the campaign we ran, grateful for the opportunity to have served this community, and wish the Sheriff’s Office and its residents the very best moving forward,” Backlund wrote.
Grand Marais City Council
*Dane Kufa and William Lovaas have received the most votes in the race for two seats on the Grand Marais City Council.
Three candidates, Kufa, Lovaas, and Ben Peters, ran for the two available seats. The two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the council.
Kufa received 449 votes, or 38.25% of the total. Lovaas received 383 votes (32.62%), while Peters received 331 votes (28.19%).
*Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson, who ran unopposed, received 671 votes for 97.81% of the total vote. 15 votes went to a write-in candidate.
Cook County Hospital District
Hospital Board Treasurer Patty Winchell-Dahl was re-elected to the board with 99% of the vote. Winchell-Dahl ran unopposed in District 1.
Sharon Berglund has won the District 3 Hospital Board seat with 61.45% of the vote. Berglund defeated incumbent Steve Frykman. Berglund received 424 votes, while Frykman received 265.
Pat Campanaro has won the District 5 Hospital Board with 63% of the total vote. Campanaro unseats incumbent Randy Wiitala, who serves as the current Board President. Campanaro received 350 votes to Wiitala’s 206.
ISD 166 School Board
Robert James will be the next school board member for District 1. James ran unopposed and received 341 votes.
Rena Rogers was re-elected to the ISD 166 School Board representing District 3. Rogers ran unopposed and received 604 votes.
Dan Shirley was re-elected to the ISD 166 School Board representing District 5. Shirley ran unopposed and received 510 votes.
Soil and Water Conservation District
Stan Tull ran unopposed for District 2. Tull received 2,558 votes for 99.38% of the vote.
Gail Gieseke ran unopposed for District 4. Gieseke received 2,491 votes for 99.24% of the vote.
Cook County Auditor/Treasurer
Braidy Powers was re-elected as Cook County Auditor/Treasurer and ran unopposed. Powers received 2,774 votes.
Cook County Attorney
Jeanne Peterson ran unopposed for Cook County Attorney and received 2,598 votes.
WTIP Staff November 4, 2026
