Keena Announces Bid For Dakota County Attorney

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Kathy Keena announced on Sunday that she will run for Dakota County Attorney in the 2022 elections.

Keena was appointed to be the acting Dakota County Attorney in May following the retirement of Jim Backstrom.

Keena said in a news release that during her time in the Dakota County Attorney's Office, she has prosecuted many significant cases, initiated the formation of Carver Dakota Veterans Treatment Court and started a pre-trial drug diversion program for first-time low-level drug offenders.

"As Dakota County Attorney, I lead a staff of nearly one hundred professionals who share my
passion and commitment to public service," Keena said. "Together we advance my vision for the office: promoting justice, public safety, and effective government by prosecuting crime, safeguarding the rights of victims, protecting children and vulnerable adults in need, and providing outstanding legal counsel to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and county departments."

In 2016, Keena said she successfully argued the appeal of a case before the United States Supreme Court regarding Minnesota’s DWI refusal statute.

Keena joined the Dakota County Attorney's Office in 2000, according to her news release. She said she has worked in both criminal and civil divisions of the office and was promoted to Criminal Division Head in 2013 and Chief Deputy in 2019.

Keena is endorsed by former Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom.

"Kathy Keena is an immensely talented trial attorney and administrator who has significant experience in every aspect of the work performed by the county attorney’s office," he said. "She has demonstrated her commitment to serving the people of Dakota County and in my opinion, no one is more qualified to be the Dakota County Attorney."

Keena is also endorsed by Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie.

"We are in a time of tremendous change in the field of law enforcement," he said. "The calls for police reform and justice system equity need strong leadership from the position of county attorney. I can think of no one better positioned to lead us forward and successfully navigate these challenges than Kathy Keena."

Keena graduated from Hamline University School of Law in 1989 and lives in Hastings with her husband, the news release said. She has lived in Hastings for over 20 years and has an adult daughter, she said.