St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay announces 2026 re-election bid

St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay announced he will run for re‑election on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, saying his first term’s work on drug investigations, workforce improvements and emergency response provides a foundation to build on. Ramsay’s statement highlighted operational changes he cites as tangible results for residents across Duluth and the county.

“Serving the people of St. Louis County is an honor, and I’m proud of the work our team has done to strengthen public safety and support the employees who do this job every day,” Ramsay said. “I’m running for re‑election to keep building on that momentum.” In his announcement Ramsay listed reducing illegal drugs, supporting employee wellness and improving pay and retention as core campaign priorities if he wins another term.

On drug enforcement, the Sheriff’s Office has used opioid settlement dollars to add two deputies to county drug enforcement efforts, and Ramsay pointed to that staffing change as evidence of increased capacity. The office assigned the two deputies to the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force to increase investigations and disrupt trafficking, and the sheriff’s statement said those steps have helped bring opiate overdose deaths in St. Louis County to a six‑year low.

Ramsay also emphasized workforce changes during his term. County officials say recruiting efforts were ramped up, compensation was increased and retention improved to help fill positions and reduce turnover across the Sheriff’s Office. If re‑elected, Ramsay said he will continue focused on employee wellness programs, improving pay and recruitment to maintain consistent service for residents throughout St. Louis County.

Emergency response and wildfire leadership featured prominently in Ramsay’s announcement. “When our communities were dealing with the most serious fires many of us have seen in a generation, we led with a steady hand,” Ramsay said. “Experience matters when conditions are changing by the hour and the stakes are high.” He cited recent severe wildfire conditions in portions of the county as an example of situations where he says experienced leadership made a difference.

Ramsay was first elected St. Louis County sheriff in 2022 from a three‑way field, the first contested race for the office in 20 years. His career background includes nearly a decade as Duluth police chief and six years as police chief in Wichita, Kansas, before returning to Duluth. The Feb. 19 statement did not include campaign filing details, staff names or a schedule of events and did not name any opponents; Ramsay limited the announcement to his record and the priorities he says he will pursue if re‑elected.