Interim Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena has announced she is running to retain the position of Dakota County Attorney. In May 2021, Keena was unanimously appointed to the position by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners following the completion of a public search and interview process. Keena joined the Dakota County Attorney’s Office in 2000 and has worked in both the criminal and civil divisions of the office. In June 2013, she was promoted to the position of Criminal Division Head followed by her promotion to Chief Deputy in 2019. Her public service career includes working as a public defender in Alexandria, MN, followed by her service in the Lyon County Attorneys Office in Marshall, MN, for seven years, five of those as the Lyon County Attorney. Keena is endorsed by former Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom, and Sheriff Tim Leslie. Keena graduated from the Hamline University School of Law (now Mitchell Hamline Law School) in 1989. She and her husband have lived in Hastings for 21 years and have one adult daughter.
