Statement about running for governor: In an interview, Opat said he is considering running for Governor.  He said his "decision will be made by Labor Day," and recent media coverage indicates he has already begun testing the waters. — Mn Progressive Project, June 15, 2009

Party: DFL

Current government position: Chairman of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners

Elected: 1993

Occupation: County commissioner; previously worked as a corrections supervisor at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility

Birth date: March 25, 1961

Home: Robbinsdale

Education: Harvard University, M.P.P., public policy; University of Minnesota, B.S., business

Website: Web page on county website 

Wikipedia entry

Facebook

E-mail: mike.opat@co.hennepin.mn.us

Key issues and priorities: From Wikipedia: "In his time on the County Board, Opat has led, among other things, governance changes at Hennepin County Medical Center, the revitalization of the Humboldt Greenway, reconstruction of Highway 100 in the northern suburbs, construction of the new Brookdale library, and numerous advancements in public infrastructure, most notably Target Field and expansion of the Twin Cities area transit network, including the Bottineau line along County Road 81 through the northern part of the county."

Background article:

Opat's State of Hennepin County speech