Matt Entenza

State Representative Matt Entenza, is a graduate of Worthington Senior High School in southwestern Minnesota. A scholarship student, Entenza started at Augustana College then transferred to Macalester College. After graduating, he studied law at Oxford University and taught high school. Returning home, he received his J.D. with honors from the University of Minnesota Law School.

After graduating, Entenza clerked for U.S. District Judge Harry McLaughlin. Next, as an Assistant Attorney General, in the Charities Division, Entenza 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, Entenza also taught Law at St. Mary's University.

Entenza joined the Hennepin County Attorney's office, principally prosecuting white-collar crime. While there, he assembled a strike force to catch a car salesman who was stealing thousands of dollars from the public and he led the legal action against a company illegally dumping toxins into wetlands that fed into the public's drinking water.

In 1994, Entenza was elected to the Minnesota State House of Representatives from St. Paul, District 64A. He was chief author of the “Do Not Call” law, protecting families’ privacy from telemarketer intrusion, but the law has failed to make a significant dent in phone solicitations due to its many exemptions.

Entenza is serving his 6th term. He has faced fierce opposition within his own caucus and was recently replaced as House Minority Leader. During his tenure, he has served on the K-12 Finance, Education Policy and Commerce Committees. In 2004, Entenza failed to lead House Democrats to the majority, leaving them in the minority for another two years by 68-66. He is the Democratic candidate for Attorney General but was the only candidate who ran for the position.

Entenza's wife, Lois Quam, is a health insurance company executive with United Health and has earned over $30 million in stock options alone from the company. The company currently is under investigation for its handling of some executives' stock options. Entenza has foregone campaign spending limits, leading many to believe that he will be financing his attorney general campaign with his wife's fortune.

External links

• Official member's website from the Minnesota House of Representatives
• Matt Entenza for Attorney General Minnesotans for Matt campaign website