Dawn Nyhus is pleased to announce her candidacy for the position of Sherburne County Attorney in the 2026 election. Dawn was appointed Sherburne County Attorney in May of 2025 and seeks your support to continue serving the people of Sherburne County in this role.
Dawn Nyhus for Sherburne County Attorney
Career
Dawn has spent the majority of her legal career serving the people of Sherburne County. In 2008, she joined the Sherburne County Attorney’s Office as a criminal prosecutor, handling a variety of gross-misdemeanor and felony offenses, with a case emphasis on sexual assault and other serious person crimes. This role allowed her to strengthen her relationship with law enforcement and their shared vision for a high standard of accountability and community safety. At the end of 2020, she continued this commitment in the position of Lead Assistant County Attorney in the Criminal Division, joining the office management team while maintaining a felony caseload. In the summer of 2024, Dawn received the opportunity to return to the area of civil practice, becoming the Lead Assistant County Attorney in the Civil Division. In that role, she worked with numerous county departments as well as providing counsel to the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners. In her role as County Attorney, Dawn has endeavored to continue her mission to provide sound, considered counsel to County stakeholders.
Before her tenure at the Sherburne County Attorney’s Office, Dawn was a Special Assistant Anoka County Attorney as well as an Assistant Mille Lacs County Attorney. In those positions, she practiced in the areas of child support, land use, and civil commitment.
Over her career, Dawn has been pleased to be a part of multi-disciplinary teams and professional organizations, including the Sexual Assault Response Team, the Sherburne County Community Corrections Advisory Board, the Sherburne County Mental Health Action Team, the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association, and the National District Attorneys Association.
Priorities
Public Safety
Dawn is committed to continuing a strong, active working relationship with law enforcement. This ensures the most thorough investigations and effective prosecutions, all with the end goal of protecting the public. Dawn has honored this priority through her frequent direct communication with law enforcement partners as well as her selection of assistant county attorneys to act as liaisons to individual Sherburne County law enforcement agencies.
Thoughtful Representation
Not unlike many communities, Sherburne County faces constant challenges in delivering services to the public as effectively and responsibly as possible. Dawn is dedicated to providing reasoned counsel to County departments, boards, and administration. Serving as legal advisor to those who serve others is a privilege she has had for several years and wishes to continue for many years to come.