Meet the Candidate: Jan Callison

Editor's Note: Patch is running bios on the candidates for the Hennepin County 6th District commissioner seat. This race will be decided during the General Election on Nov. 6. Today, we look at Jan Callison, the incumbent in the race. On Thursday, .

Commissioner Jan Callison

District: Hennepin County 6th District

Political experience:

• Elected to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners in 2008
• Elected mayor of Minnetonka in 2005
• 12 years as an at-large member of the Minnetonka City Council

Occupation: Attorney. She worked as an in-house attorney for a Fortune 1000 company, in private practice and as an adjunct professor at William Mitchell School of Law.

What other job titles have you had? 

• Executive Director, West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust;
• Adjunct Professor, William Mitchell College of Law

Education: BA in History/political science, and French from Morningside College (1975); MA in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University (1978); JD from Harvard Law School (1982)

Home: Minnetonka

Age: 59

Family: Husband, Fred Reuning, and three children

URLs: www.jancallison.org

Proudest accomplishments in office: “I’m proud of …

• “My ability to speak for the needs of the residents and communities in this district and the public outreach that I have undertaken such as the County’s first citizen academy.”
• “My decisions regarding the Hennepin County budget which have responsibly balanced the needs of residents and businesses with property taxes during these challenging economic times.”
• “My commitment to the future of Hennepin County by championing projects that will assure its economic vitality such as Southwest Light Rail Transit.”

Campaign points/goals:

• “My goals are to continue to work in the three areas identified above:  effective representation of my district, prudent management of the county’s financial resources, and long-term thinking and planning.”
• “My philosophy is to consider the issues thoughtfully, listen to other points of view and decide responsibly, with a focus on the long-term.  My decision-making is practical, non-partisan and moderate.”