Former State Senator Announces Run For Dakota County Attorney

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Former State Senator for southern Dakota County Matt Little announced Thursday that he is running for Dakota County Attorney.

If elected, Little said in a news release that he will fight for "Safety and Justice for All." Little is currently a general practice attorney who focuses on litigation, the news release said.

"The most important job of the County Attorney is to keep people safe," Little 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."

During his time in State Senate, Little said he was heavily involved in criminal justice and violence prevention. According to the news release, he co-authored SMART Center bill, which funded the Dakota County Safety and Mental Health Response Training Center-a center that teaches law enforcement de-escalation tactics.

Little said he also pushed for more background checks and "red flag laws" to reduce gun violence, authored legislation to protect children from abusive parents and fought for legislation that ensured each allegation of sexual assault was thoroughly investigated.

"Victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault need an advocate to bring them justice," Little said. "As County Attorney, I’ll make sure each allegation is heard, investigated, and prosecuted accordingly."

Little also said that he views the Office as an opportunity to rehabilitate community members who deserve a second chance.

"Oftentimes, non-violent crimes are committed due to addiction," he said. "We need to go after the root causes of people’s behavior and get them the treatment they need. In addition, Dakota County must have a dedicated Veterans Court to give those who’ve served this country an opportunity to put their lives back together. And, we have to undo the harmful impacts of our disparate marijuana laws."

During his time as Mayor of Lakeville, Little secured increased funding for law enforcement and established an Electronic Crimes Lab to protect children and seniors from online crimes, according to the news release.

Little said he also graduated from University of Minnesota Law School, magna cum laude and worked for the Dakota County Attorney's Office as a clerk while in school. After graduation, he worked for Sieben Edmunds Miller and Klemp and Stanton, PLLC before opening his own law firm in 2015, the news release said.

Little is endorsed for the role of Dakota County Attorney by the following federal, state and local leaders:

• U.S. Representative Angie Craig
• Randolph Mayor Robert Appelgren
• Rep. Robert Bierman
• Sen. Karla Bigham
• Rep. Kaela Berg
• Sen. Greg Clausen
• South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis
• Rep. Jess Hanson
• Farmington Mayor Joshua Hoyt
• Sen. Matt Klein
• Former Rep. Alice Mann
• Rep. Sandy Masin
• Former Rep. Phil Sterner