Why are you running for office?

From an early age, I learned the importance of being involved in your community. My father was an auctioneer, and my mother worked while both of them were actively involved in various organizations and community activities. I watched them support local farms, schools, families, and community efforts, and that involvement sparked my interest in public service.

When I moved to this area in 2000, my family and I quickly became invested in the community. I have lived in Goodhue County District 4 ever since, and recently purchased an additional 40-acre parcel along with our residence. This area isn't simply where I live—it is where I have chosen to put down roots and build my family's future and pay property taxes within the district where I live and work

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of government organizations, community members, farmers, township officials, and local leaders. Those experiences have taught me the importance of listening, working together, finding practical solutions, and understanding how decisions made by government affect people in their everyday liveThat is why I am running for County Commissioner.

I want to bring my experience, background, and commitment to District 4 to the County Board. I believe we can work together to protect the qualities that attracted so many of us to this area in the first place—our agricultural heritage, rural communities, strong families, responsible government, and quality of life—while also preparing for the future.

What experiences have prepared you to serve effectively in this role?

I believe my life and work experiences have prepared me well for the position of County Commissioner. I grew up on a family farm, so I understand the importance of agriculture and the challenges that rural communities face.

After college, I began working with local government and eventually spent about 28 years working in EMS and law enforcement. During that time, I worked with cities, counties, state agencies, elected officials, employees, and the public. That experience taught me how important local government decisions are and how they can directly affect the people who live in our communities.

I have also continued my education and training throughout my career, including training through the Minnesota Counties, League of Minnesota Cities, and other organizations. These experiences have helped me understand the responsibilities of government and the importance of working with people who may have different opinions and concerns.

In recent years, I have also worked in sales related to agriculture and equipment. That has given me the opportunity to talk with farmers, business owners, and other people in rural Minnesota and hear firsthand about the issues they are dealing with.

Most importantly, my experience has taught me to listen, ask questions, work with people, and make decisions based on the information available. I believe those are important qualities for serving as a County Commissioner.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

My top three priorities would be listening to and representing the residents of District 4, being responsible with county finances and taxpayer dollars, and maintaining the roads, infrastructure, public safety, and other essential services that our residents depend on. I believe good government starts with listening, understanding the issues, and making decisions that serve the community both today and in the future.

How do plan to address your top priorities?

First, I plan to be available and listen to the people of District 4. I want residents to feel comfortable contacting me with questions, concerns, or ideas. I will take the time to understand the issue, gather the facts, and work with the appropriate people to find solutions. I don't believe a commissioner can effectively represent people without listening to them.

Second, I plan to look closely at how the county is spending taxpayer dollars. I want to understand the county's budget, where the money is going, and what we are getting for those dollars. My experience working with government organizations has taught me that good planning and communication can help prevent problems and unnecessary costs. I will support responsible spending while making sure we continue to provide the services residents depend on.

Third, I plan to work with county employees, elected officials, cities, townships, and other organizations to address roads, infrastructure, public safety, and other county services. I believe we need to look ahead and plan for the future rather than waiting until something becomes a major problem. I also believe we should listen to the people who use these services every day because they often have firsthand knowledge of what is working and what needs attention.

Overall, my approach would be to listen, learn the facts, work with people, and make decisions based on what is best for the county and its residents. I don't expect to have all the answers myself, but I believe in asking questions, listening to people with experience, and being accountable for the decisions I make.

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the people you hope to represent?

I believe one of the greatest challenges facing the people I want to represent is the increasing cost of living and the cost of providing the services people depend on. For families, farmers, and small businesses, the cost of everything from fuel and equipment to insurance and everyday necessities has increased. At the same time, county government has to provide important services and maintain roads and infrastructure while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

Having grown up on a family farm and having spent many years working with local government, I understand that there are no simple answers. We need to look at how we can provide the services our residents need while being good stewards of their tax dollars.

I also think it is important that rural communities continue to have a strong voice when decisions are being made. The needs of a rural township, a farmer, a small business, and a growing community can be very different. I want to make sure those voices are heard and considered. At the same time making our communities a viable place to live and to raise a family.

Public service requires collaboration. How would you work with individuals who hold different viewpoints?

I believe public service requires being able to work with people who don't always agree with you. During my career in law enforcement, EMS, and working with local and state government, I have worked with many different people and organizations. I learned that you don't have to agree with someone to listen to them and respect their point of view.

If someone disagrees with me, I would first want to understand why they feel the way they do. I would listen to their concerns, ask questions, and make sure I have the facts before making a decision. I would also explain my position and the reasons behind it.

I believe the goal of a County Commissioner should not be to prove that you are right. The goal should be to find the best solution for the people we represent. Sometimes that means finding common ground, and sometimes it means agreeing to disagree while continuing to work together.

I have spent many years working with people from different backgrounds and with different opinions, and I believe treating people with respect and keeping communication open is the best way to get things done.

How will you communicate with and remain accessible to your constituents?

I believe one of the most important responsibilities of a County Commissioner is being available to the people you represent. I would make myself accessible through phone calls, email, community meetings, and face-to-face conversations whenever possible.

I would also make an effort to attend community events and meetings throughout District 4 so I can hear directly from residents about what is important to them. I don't want to only hear from people when there is a problem. I want to build relationships with the people I represent and stay informed about what is happening in our communities.

When someone contacts me with a question or concern, I will listen, find out the facts, and either provide an answer or get back to them when I have one. I may not always be able to give someone the answer they want, but I believe they deserve to know that their concern was heard and taken seriously.

My goal would be to be a County Commissioner people know they can call, talk to, and get a response from. I believe good representation starts with good communication and being willing to listen.

At the end of your term, what accomplishments would define success?

At the end of my term, I would consider it a success if the people I represent felt that I listened to them, was available to them, and honestly worked to represent their interests.

I would also want to look back and know that I helped make responsible decisions with taxpayer dollars, supported the services our residents depend on, and helped our county plan for the future rather than just reacting to problems as they came up.

My goal would not be to say that I accomplished everything myself. County government is a team effort. I would want to know that I worked well with other commissioners, county employees, cities, townships, businesses, and residents to solve problems and move the county forward.

Ultimately, I would measure my success by whether I earned the trust and respect of the people I represented. If, at the end of my term, people could say that I listened, treated people fairly, worked hard, and made decisions with the best interests of the county in mind, I would consider that a successful term.

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

Outside of politics, I am a husband, father, and someone who enjoys being involved in my community. I grew up on a family farm, which is still in the family. It is where I learned at an early age the value of hard work, responsibility, and helping your neighbors.

Over the years, I have been asked to serve on various boards by different communities and local organizations, including sports and other boards established to support our communities. I have always enjoyed being involved and working with people to accomplish something positive.

I am also active in supporting 4-H and FFA, which are organizations I believe provide young people with valuable opportunities to learn responsibility, leadership, agriculture, and skills they can carry with them throughout life.

One of the things I especially enjoy is being a high school sports official. I am a Minnesota State High School League official for football and girls fastpitch softball. I really enjoy being around the kids, working with coaches and other officials, and being part of high school athletics. It gives me another opportunity to interact with people from many different communities.

Outside of that, I enjoy motorsports, being outdoors, and working with equipment and projects. My family is very important to me, and I enjoy staying active and spending time with family and friends.

I believe being involved in your community isn't just about holding a position. It's about volunteering your time, getting to know people, supporting young people and local organizations, and doing what you can to make your community a better place.