Statement about running for governor: "My interest is about policy. I've shown Minnesotans that I know how to build an organization, find solutions to our problems and build coalitions, and now I want to bring that to the governor's office." — April 23, 2009

Party: DFL

Current government position: No

Elected: Served in Minnesota House of Representatives 1994-2006

Term: served six terms in Legislature

Occupation: Attorney

Birth date: Oct. 4, 1961

Home: St. Paul

Education: B.A., environmental studies, Macalester College; J.D., law, University of Minnesota School of Law

Websites:

Matt Entenza for Governor

Minnesota 2020

E-mail: matt@entenza.com

Key issues and priorities: Entenza has expressed his commitment to a long-term investment in improving Minnesota K-12 public education by first getting rid of No Child Left Behind. He is also committed to rural Minnesota, making health care affordable for everyone, and making the state a leader in clean energy, which Entenza said would also help sustain Minnesota's economy.

Political experience: Assistant Attorney General at the Minnesota Attorney General's office; Assistant Hennepin County attorney; member of the Merriam Park Community Council; State Representative, elected 1994; House DFL minority leader, elected 2003; founded Minnesota 2020 in 2007, a think tank "dedicated to fostering discussion and debate in ... education, health care, transportation and economic development" in Minnesota; ran for state attorney general in 2006 but withdrew his campaign.

Background articles:

"Entenza announces bid for governor in 2010"

"With 5 hires, Entenza wasting no time ramping up for DFL bid for governor"

"Matt Entenza speaks out against Pawlenty's budget cuts"