New Candidate Announces Campaign for Olmsted County Attorney

Karen McLaughlin aims to modernize public safety and reimagine the role of the county attorney's office.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:49pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a government building in soft, golden light, conveying a sense of contemplation and change.The election for Olmsted County Attorney could usher in a new era of public safety reform and gender representation in local government.Rochester Today

Karen McLaughlin, a 27-year attorney with 17 years of experience as an Assistant Olmsted County Attorney, has announced her campaign for Olmsted County Attorney. McLaughlin, who currently serves as the Rochester school board director and treasurer and works for a regional legal aid non-profit, is running on a platform of modernizing public safety initiatives and reimagining the role of the county attorney's office.

Why it matters

The Olmsted County Attorney's office plays a crucial role in the local criminal justice system, and McLaughlin's campaign promises to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the position. As the first woman to potentially serve as Olmsted County Attorney, her election could mark a significant milestone for the community.

The details

McLaughlin has been an attorney for 27 years, with 17 of those years spent as an Assistant Olmsted County Attorney. In addition to her legal experience, she currently serves as the Rochester school board director and treasurer, and has been working for a regional legal aid non-profit for the past seven years. In her campaign announcement, McLaughlin stated that she is running on a platform of modernizing public safety and reimagining the role of the Olmsted County Attorney's office.

  • Karen McLaughlin announced her campaign on March 30, 2026.

The players

Karen McLaughlin

A 27-year attorney with 17 years of experience as an Assistant Olmsted County Attorney, who is currently running for the position of Olmsted County Attorney.

Olmsted County Attorney

The chief prosecutor for Olmsted County, Minnesota, responsible for handling criminal cases and advising the county on legal matters.

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What they’re saying

“It's time to study and implement successful public safety initiatives from other jurisdictions to move past the status quo towards real public safety for all, not just the perception of public safety for some.”

— Karen McLaughlin, Candidate for Olmsted County Attorney

What’s next

The Olmsted County Attorney election will be held in November 2026, and voters will have the opportunity to choose between McLaughlin and any other candidates who may enter the race.

The takeaway

McLaughlin's campaign promises to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the Olmsted County Attorney's office, with a focus on modernizing public safety initiatives and ensuring equal access to justice for all members of the community.