Iowa general election: November 3, 2026

Who is running for District 5A Judge Retention: Michael K. Jacobsen in 2026?

Here are the candidates for District 5A Judge Retention: Michael K. Jacobsen on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Judicial Election District 5A.

This is a retention vote: voters decide yes or no on keeping this judge for another term. Judges may not promise how they would rule, so we show experience and record instead of issue positions.

Michael K. Jacobsen

· Incumbent

District Court Judge, Judicial Election District 5A (Jasper County)

Michael K. Jacobsen serves as District Court Judge, Judicial Election District 5A (Jasper County). Michael K. Jacobsen is up for a retention vote on November 3, 2026: voters decide yes or no on keeping the judge in office, and the judge serves another term if a majority votes yes¹³. The Iowa Judicial Branch says the judge was appointed to the bench in June 2018².

District Court Judge, District 5A (Jasper County), appointed June 2018²
Before appointment: Jasper County Attorney 2009 to 2018; assistant Jasper County Attorney 1996 to 2009; private practice 1990 to 1996²
South Dakota State University, 1990; Drake law degree, 1993²
The Iowa Judicial Branch says this judge was appointed to the bench in June 2018². Iowa district judges and district associate judges are chosen by the governor from two names sent by a district judicial nominating commission, and then stand in retention elections³.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.