MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has named Matt Zabel vice president of government affairs, effective Aug. 23.

Target Corp. has named Matt Zabel vice president of government affairs, effective Aug. 23.

Before joining the discount store chain, Zabel worked for Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.), serving as his chief of staff since 2004.

Prior to that role, Zabel held various positions with the Senate, the Department of Justice and served as adjunct professor of law at George Mason University.

"Matt brings broad knowledge on a range of important policy issues and significant experience within the legislative process to his new role," Tim Baer, executive vice president and general counsel for Target, said in a statement.