Chisago County Attorney Katherine Johnson announced June 8 she will file for re-election. During the past four years Johnsonís strong leadership and sound management skills produced results for the residents of Chisago County. Pointedly, under Johnsonís supervision, the County Attorneyís office rebuilt an infrastructure and hiring additional staff to balance case loads and resources while coming in 10 percent under budget in 2005.

Additional results of Johnsonís first four years in office:

Strong Forward Looking Leadership:

- Developed a Mission Statement for the office to define our goals that benefit the residents of the County

- Advanced technology to better track cases and to interface with the Sheriffís Office and other departments

- Reorganized the office to establish distinct civil and criminal divisions to better manage case loads

- Established electronic tracking of civil matters to ensure that cases are resolved in a timely manner

- Created trusting co-operative relationships with law enforcement and other County departments

Sound Management:

- Fiscally sound management 10 percent under budget for 2005

- In 2005, opened 2,987 criminal cases and closed 2,745 with a 74.29% conviction rate

- Promoted individuals to key positions who have a strong work ethic and share the mission of the office

- Hired experienced competent staff

- Currently addressing unresolved civil matters between the County and its citizens dating back to 1975

ìI have exercised sound judgement, strong character and integrity in making tough decisions that have ensured that residents received the best from the County Attorneyís Office,î noted Johnson. ìAs County Attorney I will continue to do the right thing fro the right reasons. I look forward to continuing to serve for another four years; with the communityís support we will make that happen.î

Johnson is an active member of various legal organizations, including: Board of Directors of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, District 19 Bar Association, National District Attorneyís Association, Alumni National College of District Attorneyís Executive Prosecutor Program, Board of Directors Chisago County Law Library, Juris Doctorate, William Mitchell College of Law.

Lifetime Resident:

Johnsonís lifetime commitment to Chisago County is demonstrated by her history of service, including serving as school board election judge in Amador Township; coordinator for the Red Cross Youth Swimming Program for Almelund, Kost and Sunrise; chairperson for the Chisago County Red Cross Blood Drive; a Chisago County 4-H organizational leader, executive board member; and a North Branch schools volunteer for the elementary school Right to Read program and the Middle School Parent Advisory Committee.

She has raised four children in Chisago County: Ranae, a training specialist at Boys and Girls Home, Sioux City, Iowa; Kristi, a poverty law attorney on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and a major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, selected for Lt. Colonel, attending JAG school in Rhode Island in August; Karmen, a senior vice president at Edelman Public Relations Worldwide supporting Microsoft in Seattle; Lance, a student at DeVry University, studying computer network management and employed part-time at Integral Business Solutions in Roseville, Minn.

Johnson is a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. She holds a Certificate in Industrial Relation from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Studies from Bethel College in St. Paul.