House 2003-2012 (District 39B); House 2013-2016 (District 52B)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served:
Dakota
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
10/6/1965
Birth Place:
,
Birth County:
Birth Country:
Date of Death:
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Catholic
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Joe
City of Residence (when first elected):
Inver Grove Heights
Occupation (when first elected):
Attorney
EDUCATION
Simley High School; Secondary;
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; B.A.; Political Science
William Mitchell College of Law; J.D.;
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
School Board/Administration:
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (School Board);
1987 to 1990
Municipal Mayor:
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (City Mayor);
1993 to 2002
County Board/Commissioner:
Dakota County, Minnesota (County Commissioner);
2017 to ?
[Elected]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Julia
Children:
Three children: John and Tom (sons), and Katie (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He "set records as the youngest school board member (at age 21) and the youngest mayor (at age 27) in the history of Inver Grove, his hometown." (Finance & Commerce, August 29, 2007)
His dad, Gene Atkins, served as Mayor of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota from 1971-1978. His father was also a Dakota County Commissioner, and Minnesota Judge.
Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005 and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.