SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, State Rep. Joe Atkins (Inver Grove Heights) released the following statement:
“In 2002, I was elected to the first of my seven terms in the Minnesota House. Today, I announce my decision to not seek re-election this fall. It has been a true honor to represent the citizens of our area at the Capitol for the past 14 years.
“When Dakota County Commissioner Nancy Schouweiler told me in December she would not be seeking re-election, I began to consider running for county commissioner. The County Board is nonpartisan, and deals with important issues that I have a lot of experience with, like public safety and transportation. I still love public service and assisting local folks, but I never really got comfortable with the amount of partisanship at the Capitol. Nonetheless, I have been successful in bridging the partisan divide to get good things done, passing more bipartisan laws the past seven years than any other state representative. I am most proud of laws I have authored to improve fire safety, protect public safety personnel and their families, help police find missing children, toughen meth and sex offender laws, help students and their families afford college, and protect senior citizens from scams. But I am just as proud of the work I have done to assist individual constituents, including helping a local man get life-saving treatment wrongly denied him by his New Jersey-based insurer, saving a local family’s home from an unscrupulous lender, and reuniting hundreds of local residents with over $500,000 of their unclaimed funds being held by the State.
“I value the strong friendships I have built on both sides of the aisle, with legislators and non-legislators alike. And I thank my family, friends, constituents, and colleagues for the support they've shown me throughout my time as a state representative, mayor and school board member. By making this announcement now – a month before precinct caucuses – I aim to give those considering serving our area the time to make plans for caucuses and the campaign season. My work and term are not yet done, and there is plenty left to do this session. I plan to continue working hard to represent and assist the people of our area.
“While I may be leaving the House, I look forward to continuing to be involved in our local area, as well as having more time for my law practice and family.”
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