Rep. Joe Atkins To Run in South Mendota Heights' New House District

State Rep. Joe Atkins (D-Inver Grove Heights) set aside suggestions Friday that he should , announcing that he’s content to run again in the Minnesota Legislature.

Mendota Heights was recently —the area of town south of Highway 110 will be part of District 52B including Inver Grove Heights, where Atkins will likely run again.

Both Inver Grove Heights and Mendota Heights are now in Congressional District 2, represented by John Kline (R-Lakeville).

“I may or may not get more chances to run for higher office, but I only get one chance at being a good dad,” said Atkins in a statement.  “Being in Washington, D.C. at this point would not allow me to be involved in my family and in our community as much as I would like.” 

Mark Westpfahl, GOP chair of District 39B—soon to be District 52B, told that after redistricting Atkins is still a formidable opponent for any GOP contender at the House level.

“I think it’s going to be more competitive than it’s ever been, but that doesn’t necessarily say all that much,” said Westpfahl. “Joe completely has the upper hand. He could blanket Inver Grove Heights and the Eagan and Mendota Heights precincts with literature on a constant basis. Our biggest challenge is going to be going up against the machine that Joe’s already created.”

Kline may also be relatively secure in his seat, said Westpfahl.

“Congressman Kline is picking up a little bit more of South St. Paul and West St. Paul, so he’s going to have a little bit more of a challenge up North, but he’s also picking up some areas in the Southeast that I think are a little bit more suitable to him. So I kind of see it as a wash. I don’t think he got helped too much, I don’t think he got hurt too much.”

District 39’s GOP convention is scheduled for 8 a.m. March 10 at Miracle Center Church in South St. Paul. Candidate announcements for state seats are expected in April or May.