Hennepin County sheriff-elect Hutchinson names transition team

Hennepin County Sheriff-elect Dave "Hutch" Hutchinson's transition team will be led by prominent figures in law enforcement and politics, including the campaign manager for the group that defeated a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and the retired Minneapolis Police Department head of investigations.

Hutchinson, who beat outgoing Sheriff Rich Stanek by more than 2,300 votes on Election Day, announced members of his transition team Wednesday. He will take office on Jan. 8.

Hutchinson's transition team leaders include Richard Carlbom, former campaign manager of Minnesotans United for All Families, which campaigned against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in the state. Retired Minneapolis Police Department chief of investigations Rob Allen will also lead the effort.

Hutchinson said he's spoken to members of outgoing Sheriff Rich Stanek's administration about the transition, but not Stanek himself. Stanek didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

"Our objective is to make sure this transition is smooth so we can get back to serving the people," Hutchinson said.

Other members of Hutchinson's transition team include Metro Transit Police Department Chief John Harrington, lobbyist and founder of the Minnesota Second Chance Coalition Sarah Walker and Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal. Hutchinson has also added Kaamil Dakane as a liaison to the county's East African community.

Hutchinson said the "great people at the sheriff's office" will be able to successfully make the change to his administration. He said he wants to be in position to act quickly on his campaign promises after he takes office.

"I want to help figure out what we can do with immigration, make sure everybody feels safe, [make sure] people with mental illness and suffering from mental health crisis feel safe," Hutchinson said. He'll also "try to get a better handle on this epidemic that's killing people in Hennepin County from the city to the suburbs — the opioid crisis needs to be addressed."

Stanek served as Hennepin County sheriff for 12 years. Before that, he served as commissioner of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and as a Republican legislator from Maple Grove. Stanek has also served as a Minneapolis police officer.