Minnetonka resident John Cooney has announced he is running for a position on the Hennepin County Board in District 6 (which includes parts of Eden Prairie). Cooney, a long-time aide to U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, has also served as Sheriff Rich Stanek's chief of staff and has founded a printing business. Cooney graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a degree in political science.

“There are enormous, important decisions to be made about our infrastructure, but we must also control government spending in an era of record home foreclosures and mounting economic challenges,” said Cooney in a news release. “My broad experience gives me the decision-making tools to tackle the challenges we currently face and identify solutions to the issues we will need to confront in the future.”

Cooney served as campaign manager and political director for Ramstad during the 2002, 2004 and 2006 Third Congressional District campaigns.