The Backlund Family at Oberg Mountain. Photo provided

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - January 23, 2026


On Friday, Ty Backlund announced his intention to run for Cook County Sheriff, aiming to fill the vacancy to be left by current Sheriff Pat Eliasen. Eliasen, who recently confirmed he will not seek another term, is set to retire.

In a statement announcing his plans to run, Backlund said, "I believe this is an important moment for Cook County. Trust in law enforcement is built through visibility, consistency, and relationships, especially in a community like ours. 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."

Backlund grew up in Cook County and, after graduating from high school, joined the U.S. Army, where he served as a Civil Affairs Specialist. "That role meant listening first, working with rural communities, and solving problems alongside the people who live there," he said. 

In 2011, he was deployed to Afghanistan, where he served at Combat Outpost Wilderness in Paktia Province and at Khost Province. His role, he told Boreal Community Media in a past Meet Your Cook County Neighbor feature, was to serve as a liaison between the US military and local Afghans. "Most of my time was spent at Combat Outpost Wilderness in Paktia Province, but I also worked in Khost Province," he said at the time. In his candidacy statement, he shared that his time deployed "shaped how I approach leadership: with humility, accountability, and respect for the people affected by every decision."

After his time in the Army, Backlund was a police officer in Mesa, Arizona, where he patrolled, trained new officers, and "learned professional policing in a large and diverse community."

In 2021, he moved back home to Cook County and served as a probation officer before joining the Cook County Sheriff's Office in 2023. During his time working in the Cook County Sheriff's Office, he shared that his focus has included "foot patrols, community outreach, and being present, not just when something goes wrong, but every day."

He concluded his announcement by sharing that his past roles total 18 years of public service and added, "I would be honored to earn your trust, your support, and your vote."

The candidate filing period is open between May 19 and June 2, 2026, Cook County Auditor’s Office Tax and Elections Administrator Cortnee Bernier told Boreal Community Media earlier this month. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State website, candidates must meet specific Minnesota state requirements to qualify for the role, including but not limited to being a licensed peace officer and a county resident for at least 30 days prior to the election.

Read Ty Backlund's full candidacy announcement below: 

Hi,

I’m Ty Backlund, and today I’m announcing that I’m running for Sheriff of Cook County.

Cook County has always been home. I grew up here, and my family has been part of this community for generations. We helped found Tofte and have served as County Commissioner. I was raised around public service.

After graduating from Cook County High School, I served in the U.S. Army in Civil Affairs. That role meant listening first, working with rural communities, and solving problems alongside the people who live there. I deployed overseas in 2011, and those experiences shaped how I approach leadership: with humility, accountability, and respect for the people affected by every decision.

After the Army, I became a police officer in Mesa, Arizona. I worked patrol, trained new officers, and learned professional policing in a large and diverse community. But I always knew I wanted to come home.

In 2021, I returned to Cook County and served as a Probation Officer, working with people at some of the hardest moments in their lives. In 2023, I joined the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, where I’ve focused on foot patrols, community outreach, and being present, not just when something goes wrong, but every day. Together, these roles represent 18 years of continuous public service.

I believe this is an important moment for Cook County. Trust in law enforcement is built through visibility, consistency, and relationships, especially in a community like ours. 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.

I would be honored to earn your trust, your support, and your vote.

Thank you,

Ty Backlund
Candidate for Sheriff, Cook County
1/23/2026