Published: October 23rd 2026.
DAKOTA COUNTY MN - With the November election quickly approaching, Dakota County Attorney candidates Jeff Sheridan and Kathy Keena are outlining their priorities for public safety, criminal prosecution, rehabilitation, and the future of the County Attorney’s Office.
Sheridan, a longtime defense attorney challenging incumbent County Attorney Keena, and Keena, who is seeking reelection, recently spoke with Limitless Media in separate interviews about their experience, priorities, and approaches to leading the office.
Sheridan, a criminal defense attorney with nearly 40 years of experience who has also served as a public defender, emphasized the need to change the culture of the County Attorney’s Office and reconsider how certain criminal cases are handled.
Having worked in almost every county in Minnesota, Sheridan said his experience has shaped his belief that prosecutors should focus on solving problems rather than creating additional challenges for individuals and communities.
Sheridan expressed dissatisfaction with the current criminal justice system, arguing that too much emphasis is placed on punishment rather than addressing the underlying circumstances that contribute to criminal behavior.
While Sheridan emphasized that he would pursue serious criminal offenders, he said prosecutors should take a closer look at lower-level offenses and consider whether alternative approaches could produce better outcomes.
Sheridan also expressed opposition to mass incarceration, questioning whether some of the significant public resources spent on punishment could instead be directed toward preventive programs, including initiatives in schools designed to help keep young people out of the criminal justice system.
He emphasized that most individuals who enter the criminal justice system will eventually return to their communities, making rehabilitation and reducing repeat offenses important components of long-term public safety.
During the interview with Limitless Media, Sheridan explained that prosecutors should consider what can be done when someone appears in court to reduce the likelihood of that person facing future criminal charges.
He questioned why the criminal justice system does not place greater emphasis on developing individualized solutions that give people the best opportunity to succeed.
In responses to a written candidate questionnaire published by the West St. Paul Reader on September 14, 2026, Sheridan also discussed his concerns about what he characterized as a score-keeping culture within the County Attorney’s Office.
Sheridan said his primary goal would be to change that culture and focus on reducing harm to Dakota County residents.
He argued that prosecutors should consider the interests of the entire county when deciding which charges to pursue and how cases should be resolved, rather than prioritizing any single constituency.
In his questionnaire response, Sheridan emphasized that the county attorney represents the entire county, not just law enforcement agencies, and that prosecutors should keep those broader responsibilities in mind when making decisions.
Sheridan also criticized Keena's stated emphasis on representing crime victims, arguing that prosecutors must balance the interests of victims with those of other county residents.
He proposed requiring assistant county attorneys to explain how their decisions in individual cases contribute to improving Dakota County.
Sheridan wrote that prosecutors under his administration would be expected to explain how their decisions would help make the county stronger and safer.
During his interview with Limitless Media, Sheridan acknowledged that he identifies as a progressive liberal. When asked how he approaches people with differing opinions, Sheridan emphasized the importance of listening and remaining open to other perspectives, saying he is willing to be convinced of anything and expressing the belief that someone who cannot change their mind cannot bring about meaningful change.
Sheridan has also received a letter of support from the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's Second Congressional District organization. According to the DFL, the designation allows the party to support candidates running for nonpartisan offices but does not constitute a formal party endorsement.
Sheridan also expressed opposition to Flock Safety cameras, which are used by some law enforcement agencies to capture vehicle information, including license plates.
Sheridan additionally raised concerns about the culture within executive branch agencies, including government officials at the highest levels. He maintained that government should ultimately focus on improving people's lives.
Meanwhile, incumbent Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena is seeking another term, emphasizing public safety, accountability for serious offenders, support for crime victims, and efforts to reduce future involvement in the criminal justice system.
Keena was elected Dakota County Attorney in November 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She has served in the County Attorney’s Office for approximately 26 years, including previous leadership positions as chief deputy county attorney and criminal division head.
Keena's campaign also highlights several accomplishments from her career in the County Attorney's Office, including her experience prosecuting thousands of felony cases, according to campaign materials.
Her campaign credits Keena with spearheading the development and implementation of Dakota County's first treatment court program specifically designed for veterans, providing participants with structured support, accountability, and access to services.
Campaign materials also state that Keena helped guide the County Attorney's Office through challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the elimination of a resulting backlog of felony cases.
Additionally, her campaign emphasizes relationships developed with Dakota County law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice system partners as part of her experience leading the office.
In outlining her priorities for the next four years, Keena said she intends to continue holding dangerous and repeat offenders accountable while working closely with law enforcement and supporting crime victims.
Keena also emphasized the importance of preventing crime and reducing repeat offenses, including through programs that address mental health and substance use disorders.
According to her campaign priorities, Keena supports collaborating with community stakeholders to reduce unnecessary criminal justice system involvement for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Her proposals include alternatives to traditional law enforcement responses for certain 911 mental health calls, mobile crisis response teams, and placing county mental health social workers within police departments.
Keena also supports continued use of treatment courts and pretrial drug diversion programs to help individuals experiencing substance use or mental health disorders pursue recovery and stability.
Another significant priority Keena identified in the West St. Paul Reader questionnaire is implementing the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, which is scheduled to take effect statewide on July 1, 2027.
The legislation is intended to address disparities within Minnesota's child welfare system by strengthening families, preventing unnecessary child removals, and improving reunification and other permanent placement outcomes.
Keena said the law will apply to nearly all Child in Need of Protection or Services cases handled by the County Attorney’s Office and will require additional staffing and resources to implement effectively.
Keena also identified funding for crime victim services as an area where the criminal justice system could improve.
She said victims deserve meaningful support throughout the criminal justice process and expressed support for securing adequate county, state, and federal funding for victim services.
Her proposed approach includes strengthening partnerships with community organizations and improving access to advocacy, information, and other resources for victims.
During her interview with Limitless Media, Keena also discussed the wide range of responsibilities handled by the County Attorney’s Office, which extend beyond prosecuting adult felony cases and juvenile delinquency matters.
Those responsibilities include legal matters involving child protection, vulnerable adults, guardianships, civil commitments, social services, child support enforcement, and paternity. The office also provides legal advice to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and county departments.
Keena said the office currently includes approximately 46 attorneys and 44 support staff members.
When asked whether the position is stressful, Keena acknowledged that the responsibilities can be demanding but credited the team working alongside her.
Keena said she is honored to serve as county attorney and proud of the results achieved by her office, explaining that she is seeking reelection to continue that work.
During their respective interviews, Limitless Media also asked both candidates whether they supported either candidate in the Dakota County sheriff's race.
Sheridan said he was not currently endorsing either candidate, while Keena said she is endorsing incumbent Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko in his reelection campaign.
Keena also explained that she has not sought a political party endorsement in the county attorney race, emphasizing that the position is nonpartisan.
Additional Sources:
Kevin D. Hendricks, West St. Paul Reader, “2026 Election: Dakota County Attorney,” September 14, 2026.
https://weststpaulreader.com/2026/09/14/2026-election-dakota-county-attorney/
