Why are you running for office?

I enjoy government and have always felt like there's a need for strong leaders to serve.

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

I have a political science degree and completed a fellowship from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. I have extensive experience in the non-profit sector in leadership from my work with the YMCA, Every Hand Joined, Blandin Leadership cohort, and many others. I have served on the Goodhue County Park Board for many years. several as chair. I was elected to the Red Wing School Board for eight years, serving as chair for several years. Currently, I am serving my first term as a Red Wing City Council member and have been the President of the Council the last two years. I understand and can work with all levels of government to help make Red Wing a wonderful place to live and work.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

Economic Development, Housing, and Budget control

How do plan to address your top priorities?

I will continue to support development of empty buildings and storefronts. I will continue to work with community partners to address workforce needs and housing. This includes the hard work of rezoning and identifying and incentivizing areas in Red Wing that can be better utilized. At the same time, we live in a beautiful riverfront town. I am committed to balancing the needs of our residents and tourists, by making the river a focal point of our community. When it comes to the budget, I will continue to ask the hard questions during our budget process. This includes keeping an appropriate reserve fund and being creative about the challenges of our ambulance service costs. Most importantly, I will work to make sure we are keeping Red Wing affordable for residents to live and businesses to do work.

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

I think it's budget. I hope to continue to serve the residents of Red Wing, as I want Red Wing to be a great, thriving community for the next generations. Life is expensive with housing, basic needs, healthcare, and many other things. Red Wing is at a unique time where we can find more ways to diversify our tax base and help our residents with their property taxes for the long term. I want Red Wing to be a city of choice to live in compared to larger communities around us. Our schools need to be strong and our community services need to be strong.

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

I have always been someone that has been at the table with the skill sets needed to have constructive dialogues with individuals who have different viewpoints. I always start with respect and calmness, and I choose to not let anger enter the space. Our words and actions need to be thought out well. At a time when political divisiveness is high, I choose to listen, to ask questions, and to find areas of compromise. A vote is a vote, and then you move onto the work of making Red Wing a better city to be in.

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

I have always been an elected official that reads emails and responds. I have met with constituents to talk out perspectives when it doesn't seem to work through email/phone calls. I have taken many phone calls and had many meetings. This position is service, and we are representing our community members. I also see my role as helping to explain and give the details of many of the projects or issues that come up.

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

More housing that would benefit families and our school district, a riverfront that continues to prosper, a budget that balances our community demographics, and being known for respect and hard work.

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

I coach volleyball every Fall for the high school and am an avid Minnesota fan for all the sports teams!