Three to challenge Keena for Dakota County attorney seat in November

Deanna Weniger, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·3 min read

Jan. 20—Candidates are lining up to run for Dakota County attorney, a seat open for the first time in three decades since the retirement of James Backstrom.

Former state Sen. Matt Little, attorney Jeff Sheridan and Ramsey County prosecutor Elizabeth Lamin have announced their intentions to run. Interim Dakota County Attorney Kathryn Keena has said publicly that she, too, intends to run. The election is Nov. 8 with a four-year term starting Jan. 2, 2023.

Keena, who was formerly the chief deputy in the county attorney's office, was appointed by the County Board in May following Backstrom's retirement. He retired at age 68 due to health issues.

She is serving the remaining 20 months of Backstrom's elected term.

Keena has nearly three decades of experience working in a county attorney's office, the last 21 years for Dakota County. She joined the county as an assistant attorney in April 2000, working in both the criminal and civil divisions for the next 13 years. She was promoted to the position of criminal division head in 2013, then to chief deputy six years later.

She also worked for the Lyon County attorney's office in Marshall, Minn., for seven years, five as the county attorney.

Lamin was one of the three finalists considered by the board to finish out Backstrom's term. She has been an assistant Ramsey County attorney since July 2007.

"I believe in our system," Lamin said. "As Dakota County attorney, I will continue to prove my tireless commitment to public service. ... I will bring optimism, experience, a strong work ethic, and an ability to work with people from all walks of life to this role."

She said she will prioritize treatment courts for those who would benefit from intervention for substance addiction and mental health issues, while maintaining focus on keeping violent offenders off the streets.

Little, of Lakeville, served as a DFL state senator for District 58 from 2017 to 2020. During that time, he co-authored the SMART Center bill, funding the Dakota County Safety and Mental Health Response Training Center to provide law enforcement with de-escalation tactics; he pushed for background checks and red flag laws to reduce gun violence, and authored legislation to protect children from abusive parents.

"The most important job of the county attorney is to keep people safe," he said. "With the rise in violent crimes and carjackings, people need a leader who will focus the county attorney's office on countering these dangerous trends."

Sheridan, of Lakeville, has been defending clients charged with crimes for 35 years. He said he wants to turn his legal experience and passion for justice toward the community that has been his home his entire adult life. He currently is the president and co-managing shareholder of the Sheridan & Dulas law firm in Eagan.

"I am excited to put my experience and knowledge to work protecting public safety and pursuing justice for my community," he said.

Sheridan also worked as a Dakota County public defender for criminal cases, paternity cases, civil mental health commitments and other cases prosecuted by the Dakota County attorney's office.

Sheridan is a commercial pilot and a volunteer pilot for the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a World War II military aircraft museum in Dakota County.