Grand Forks Judicial Candidate Faces Disciplinary Action

Sarah Kyte running against Judge Theodore Sandberg, who was reprimanded as a prosecutor

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A fractured, abstract painting in shades of blue, grey, and red, depicting a gavel or other political symbol in a state of motion, conveying a sense of instability and uncertainty surrounding the judicial election.The allegations of misconduct against judicial candidates in Grand Forks raise concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.Grand Forks Today

Sarah Kyte, a Grand Forks attorney running for judge, is facing possible disciplinary action in Minnesota for alleged unprofessional conduct in a divorce case she handled. Meanwhile, her opponent, Judge Theodore Sandberg, was reprimanded while working as a prosecutor in Michigan for unauthorized plea deals.

Why it matters

The allegations against the two judicial candidates raise questions about their professional conduct and fitness to serve on the bench. Voters will need to weigh these issues as they decide who should fill the open judgeship.

The details

Kyte was licensed to practice law in North Dakota and Minnesota in 2019 and began representing her then-partner, now-husband, in his Minnesota divorce case the following year. A petition for disciplinary action alleges Kyte made inappropriate requests and false accusations that delayed the case, duplicated work, and raised conflict of interest concerns. Kyte claims the judge handling the case has acted with prejudice against her husband. Meanwhile, Sandberg faced reprimand in 2007 as a prosecutor in Michigan for dismissing a felony firearm charge without permission and arranging a sentencing hearing without a prosecutor present.

  • In October 2026, a petition for disciplinary action was filed against Kyte.
  • An evidentiary hearing on the petition is scheduled for April 27, 2026 and may take three days.
  • In 2007, Sandberg was reprimanded for his conduct as a prosecutor in Michigan.

The players

Sarah Kyte

A Grand Forks attorney running for judge who is facing possible disciplinary action in Minnesota for alleged unprofessional conduct in a divorce case she handled.

Judge Theodore Sandberg

The judicial candidate Kyte is running against, who was reprimanded while working as a prosecutor in Wayne County, Michigan for unauthorized plea deals.

Judge Anne Rasmusson

The judge who is handling the disciplinary case against Kyte and whom Kyte claims has acted with prejudice against her husband.

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What they’re saying

“If every attorney were afraid to zealously advocate for their client for fear of an ethics complaint accusing them of not adopting the position of their adversary, then no one would have effective representation.”

— Sarah Kyte, Judicial Candidate

“This incident is not now nor has ever been a secret, and has been reviewed and vetted by the State Bar of North Dakota during my licensing process, and then recently vetted as part of my judicial selection process.”

— Theodore Sandberg, Judicial Candidate

What’s next

An evidentiary hearing on the disciplinary petition against Kyte is scheduled for April 27, 2026 and may take three days.

The takeaway

The allegations against the two judicial candidates raise concerns about their professional conduct and fitness to serve on the bench. Voters will need to carefully consider these issues as they decide who should fill the open judgeship in Grand Forks.