Joe Atkins

Joseph Atkins (born October 6, 1965) is a Minnesota attorney and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 52B, which included portions of Dakota County in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area.[1]

Joe Atkins
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 52B district
39B (2003–2013)
In office
January 3, 2003 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byBob Milbert
Succeeded byRegina Barr
Mayor of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
In office
January 4, 1993 – December 31, 2002
Preceded byRosemary Piekarski-Krech
Succeeded byGeorge Tourville
Personal details
Born (1965-10-06) October 6, 1965
South St. Paul, Minnesota
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Spouse(s)Julia Atkins
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
William Mitchell College of Law
ProfessionAttorney

Early life, education, and career

Born in South St. Paul, Atkins grew up in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. After graduating from Simley High School in 1984, he earned his B.A. from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 1988 and his Juris Doctorate magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul in 1991. While in college and law school, he worked full-time as a law clerk and started a legal investigation business.

Atkins has been practicing law since 1991. He is a partner in the law firm of Thuet, Pugh, Rogosheske & Atkins in South St. Paul, one of Minnesota's oldest law firms. He also does significant pro bono work for those who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Political career

In 1987, Inver Grove Heights voters elected Atkins to the School Board. At the age of 21, he was the youngest school board member in the nation. Five years later, in 1992, he was elected mayor of Inver Grove Heights, serving for 10 years to become its longest-serving mayor to that date (a record since surpassed by sitting mayor George Tourville).

Minnesota House of Representatives

Atkins was first elected to the House in 2002 and was reelected every two years until retiring in 2016.

Potential 2008 U.S. Senate run

Atkins considered entering the 2008 U.S. Senate race.[2] He opted out, saying he preferred to remain in Minnesota.

Personal life

Atkins and his wife, Julia, have three children: John, Tom and Katie.

Honors and accolades

Atkins has garnered numerous awards for his public service, including being named one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Jaycees in 2001.[3] In 2003, while in his first term in the Minnesota House, he was selected "Freshman Representative of the Year" by Politics in Minnesota magazine. Readers of local newspaper the South-West Review have also voted Atkins a "Best Local Elected Official" 10 times, more than any other official. Atkins received a rating of "0" from the Minnesota Taxpayers League in the 2011 legislative session to bring his career rating to "8".[4]

He has earned numerous awards as an attorney, including being named one of 10 Minnesota SuperLawyers by the "Minnesota Journal of Law and Politics" and Member of the Year in 2006 by the Minnesota Association for Justice.

Electoral History
2014 Minnesota State Representative- House 52B[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Joe Atkins (Incumbent) 9,831 64.47 −1.55
Republican Don Lee 5,405 35.45
2012 Minnesota State Representative- House 52B[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Joe Atkins (Incumbent) 14,493 66.02 +2.79
Republican Paul Tuschy 7,430 33.85
2010 Minnesota State Representative- House 39B[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Joe Atkins (Incumbent) 10,049 63.23 −10.14
Republican Terry Pearson 5,837 36.72
2008 Minnesota State Representative- House 39B[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Joe Atkins (Incumbent) 16,291 73.37 +1.65
Republican Christian Rieck 5,867 26.46
2006 Minnesota State Representative- House 39B[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Joe Atkins (Incumbent) 12,046 71.72 +3.45
Republican Kathie Roberts 4,735 28.19
2004 Minnesota State Representative- House 39B[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Joe Atkins (Incumbent) 14,594 68.27 +3.01
Republican Cassandra "Cassi" Holmstrom 6,767 31.65
2002 Minnesota State Representative- House 39B[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Joe Atkins 11,461 65.26
Republican Marley Danner 5,384 30.66
Green Bob Pollock 702 4.00

References
  1. "Atkins, Joseph "Joe"". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  2. Scheck, Tom (2007-01-25). "Another DFLer is considering a U.S. Senate run". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
  3. "Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA)". United States Jaycee Foundation. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  4. "Legislative Scorecard for 2011" (PDF). Taxpayers League of Minnesota. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  5. "2014 Results for State Representative District 52B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  6. "2012 Results for State Representative District 52B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  7. "2010 Results for State Representative District 39B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  8. "2008 Results for State Representative District 39B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  9. "2006 Results for State Representative District 39B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  10. "2004 Results for State Representative District 39B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  11. "2002 Results for State Representative District 39B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
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