|
|
Matt Entenza
| |
Matt Entenza is a graduate of southern Minnesota's Worthington Senior High School. A scholarship student, Matt started at Augustana College then transferred to Macalester College. After graduating, Matt studied law at England's Oxford University and taught high school. Returning to the Twin Cities, he received his J.D. with honors from the University of Minnesota Law School.
After law school, Matt clerked for U.S. District Judge Harry McLaughlin. Next, as an Assistant Attorney General, in the Charities Division, Matt successfully prosecuted scamming telemarketers, fraudulent adoption agencies and even a deceitful minister stealing money meant for children's health care. While at the Attorney General's office Matt also was an Assistant Professor at St. Mary's University, teaching law.
Matt joined the Hennepin County Attorney's office, continuing his watchdog activities as an Assistant County Attorney, prosecuting white-collar crime. While there, Matt assembled a strike force to catch a swindling car salesman who was stealing thousands of dollars from the public. He took legal action against a company illegally dumping toxins into wetlands that fed into the public's drinking water.
Matt represented Minnesota State House of Representatives District 64A from 1995-2007. As a State Representative, Matt continued his role as a public watchdog, strengthening laws regarding child support, child protections, DWI, white-collar crime prosecution, nonprofit disclosure and fighting for property tax relief. He was chief author of the "Do Not Call" bill, protecting families' privacy. He has been a leader in education, fighting for better nutritional programs in our schools and exposing fraudulent practices by a few charter school administrators, saving thousands of dollars for Minnesotans.
Matt was elected House Democratic Leader by his colleagues, serving from 2002-2006. DFL Leader in the State House. He did not seek re-election but ran for Attorney General. During his tenure, he served on the K-12 Finance, Education Policy and Commerce Committees and is widely recognized for his hard work and tireless focus on consumer and family protections.
Matt founded Minnesota 2020; a progressive, non-partisan think tank in June of 2007. He serves as the group's Board Chair.
Matt is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Law and Politics at the University of Minnesota Law School.
Matt and his wife, Lois Quam, have been married for 23 years. They have three children, Ben (17) and twins Will and Steve (15).
E-mail: matt@entenza.com
Phone: (651) 647-1425
 |
|
|
