Dawanna Witt

In office now

Dawanna Witt is the Sheriff. Dawanna Witt's page: the office they hold, how to reach it and where they stand.

About this race

The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.

2 candidates ran for Hennepin County Sheriff in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Immigration enforcement (ICE 287(g))

ICE's list of 287(g) participating agencies shows no agreement for Hennepin County's sheriff's office.

Under 287(g), ICE trains and authorizes local officers to carry out some federal immigration duties. From ICE's list of participating agencies, as of October 28, 2026. Whether to keep, change or end an agreement is up to the sheriff.

About Dawanna Witt

Hennepin County Sheriff. Hennepin County Sheriff since 2023, seeking a second term. She began her career in substance abuse treatment and family therapy, worked as a Hennepin County detention deputy and licensed deputy and at the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, then returned in 2019 to run the county jail as a major before being elected sheriff in 2022.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Building trust between law enforcement and residents
• Combating the opioid epidemic
• Disrupting drug and human trafficking networks
• Adequately staffing the Sheriff's Office

In their own words: Sun Current (Hometown Source) questionnaire

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

This is a nonpartisan race, so we don't estimate where candidates fall from their campaign materials or look up their personal voter registration. We'd place Dawanna Witt only with a published academic score (from a voting record or campaign donors), and we haven't found one we can reliably source.

To see where they stand, read their own words: Sun Current (Hometown Source) questionnaire. What they say they'll focus on is listed above.

Compare everyone in this race · How placements work

More about Dawanna Witt

Ballotpedia

Are you Dawanna Witt?

Share this page with your supporters. Every candidate in this race gets the same page and the same treatment. If something here is wrong or missing, tell us with a source and we'll fix it.

ShareReport a problem

Also running

• Joseph Banks

Compare everyone in this race →

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

Is Dawanna Witt the incumbent?

Yes. Dawanna Witt currently holds this office.

What does the Hennepin County Sheriff seat do?

The county's chief law-enforcement officer. Runs the sheriff's office and usually the county jail, patrols areas outside city police departments, and serves court papers.

Who is Dawanna Witt running against?

Joseph Banks, for Hennepin County Sheriff.

Should I vote for Dawanna Witt?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Dawanna Witt's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.