Magnuson Sworn In As New Washington County Attorney

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — New Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson took the oath of office Tuesday, succeeding Pete Orput as the county’s top prosecutor.

The Washington County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted last week to appoint Magnuson to lead the office following Orput’s death in April.

Magnuson, who served as an assistant Washington County attorney under Orput, was the only person to file to run the office in the 2022 general election. Commissioners said that was a major factor in the board appointing him as Washington County attorney.

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Orput, who was due to retire at the end of 2022, endorsed Magnuson’s campaign to succeed him. Orput said he was confident Magnuson will “make Washington County a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

"Kevin has the temperament and judgment to vigorously prosecute violations of the law while also wisely exercising discretion to take actions that deter crime and heal the wounds that exist in our communities," Orput said in January.

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Magnuson will serve as Washington County attorney on an interim basis until his likely election in the Nov. 8 general election. Magnuson is running unopposed to retain his new office.

First Assistant Washington County Attorney Brent Wartner had been leading the office for the past two months.

The Washington County board set Magnuson's salary at $190,500 at its meeting Tuesday.

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