Deputy Ty Backlund to run for Cook County Sheriff
Cook County Deputy Ty Backlund announced Friday that he will run for Cook County Sheriff in the November election.
Backlund has an extensive background in public service, law enforcement, and the U.S. military. He served in the U.S. Army in Civil Affairs and was deployed overseas to Afghanistan in 2011. After returning from military service, Backlund became a police officer in Mesa, Ariz., where he worked patrol, trained new officers, and gained experience policing in a large, diverse community.
Backlund said his military and public service experience shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing “humanity, accountability, and respect for the people affected by every decision.”
Before joining the Cook County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in 2023, Backlund served as a Cook County probation officer from 2021 to 2023.
Among his professional experience within public service, Backlund graduated from Cook County High School and has generational family ties to the area.
“Cook County has always been home. I grew up here, and my family has been part of this community for generations,” Backlund said in a Jan. 23 announcement. He said being raised around public service helped shape his decision to run for sheriff. His grandfather, Sidney W. Backlund (Sr.), served as a Cook County Commissioner for 20 years.
In his announcement, Backlund said he is running at a pivotal time for the county, emphasizing the importance of trust between law enforcement and the community.
“Trust in law enforcement is built through visibility, consistency, and relationships, especially in a community like ours,” Backlund said. “The Sheriff’s Office should be approachable and seen as part of the community it serves.”
“That’s why I’m running for Sheriff: to support our deputies and to serve this community with compassion and common sense,” he said. “I would be honored to earn your trust, your support, and your vote.”
Backlund’s announcement follows recent news that Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen will retire at the end of 2026 and will not seek reelection.
Within the past couple of years, Backlund has also been a certified Minnesota permit to carry instructor and a guest speaker for the Cook County Schools Veteran’s Day program. WTIP spoke with Backlund ahead of Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11, 2025 to learn more about his time serving in the military. Find the audio here.
The 2026 candidate filing period for the Cook County Sheriff in Minnesota is from May 19, 2026 to June 2, 2026 at 5 p.m., according to the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Kalli Hawkins January 23, 2026
