Why are you running for office?

I’m running to help local governments succeed and ensure public dollars deliver results for Minnesota communities. This office oversees the dollars closest to Minnesotans. I've seen what happens when local governments have the technical resources to operate at a high level and I've seen the consequences when they're left behind. We need confidence that local dollars for schools, public works, public safety and infrastructure will be there when needed. Accounting is my profession. I'm the only candidate to have worked in a local government accounting office, adhering to governmental auditing standards, and creating and enforcing internal controls to help keep local tax dollars safe. I bring experience in oversight, internal controls and accountability. I’ll be ready on day one to ensure every local tax dollar is working for us.

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

This job is all about building a government that works for people and protecting the $56B in local government spending. As the only accountant in the race, I bring a proven track record of fiscal responsibility. Financial statements tell the story of our values and how they can help us make better decisions. As a Certified Management Accountant, I know what it takes to hold people and organizations accountable. I have over a decade of experience managing budgets, overseeing compliance and strengthening internal controls to prevent fraud. As a finance manager and former Duluth City Councilor, I’ve worked with local governments across Minnesota to understand and solve the challenges they face.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

I’m focused on protecting taxpayer dollars through strong oversight, guidance and accountability. With recent cuts in federal funding, I’m hearing from city leaders facing staffing shortages, educators concerned about school finances and residents in greater Minnesota worried about essential services.

Transparency & Accountability: Protecting taxpayer dollars through strong oversight, internal controls, and guidance to prevent fraud.

Strengthening Communities: Ensuring local governments rural townships to big cities have the data, training, and resources they need to make the best decisions for their own communities.

Communicating & Building Trust: Increasing transparency at every step through a commitment to public engagement with open houses and forums in every corner of the state.

How do plan to address your top priorities?

I’ll take a proactive approach to oversight, helping local finance officials identify weak points in their processes and strengthening internal controls and guardrails against fraud. The Auditor’s office has a role to play in restoring public trust between Minnesotans and their government. I am committed to providing the background behind the data, by holding open houses and forums to ensure transparency at every step. I will work to build relationships with local governments and improve staff capacity to address the critical shortage of finance professionals in greater Minnesota.

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

Affordability. Everything from the price of gas to our healthcare is expensive. These costs make it difficult for Minnesotans to afford their lives. And these same increases also impact our local governments. Costs are getting higher, while basic services like public safety and infrastructure are still needed. I am focused on ensuring that these important tax dollars go to the right places and are there when we need them. Fraud, as well as misuse of local funding, not only adds additional financial burden to residents, but erodes trust in our government.

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

I have served 8 years in a local, non-partisan, elected office. During that time on city council, I represented 86,000 Duluth residents. I worked with businesses, resident groups, and other colleagues who did not always share the same views. I believe an accountant from Greater Minnesota who is focused on transparency, clear communication and rooted in supporting every community is a message that can go beyond political parties. We need an Auditor who is focused on drawing the circle bigger, engaging and bringing new people into our government processes.

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

As the only candidate from Greater Minnesota, I know how important it is to be accessible to every corner of the state. I am committed to holding town halls, forums and visiting every one of our 87 counties to give residents an opportunity to ask questions, learn about the State Auditor’s office and how they help keep our local governments accountable. That also means providing transparency around the work of this office, through regular communication to residents, local public officials, and staff.

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

-Reduce the turnover rate to provide more efficient audits and guidance. This includes working across the aisle to communicate the importance of this office in preventing fraud.

-Implementation of a plan to assist local governments in addressing the increasing shortage of finance staff. Providing guidance on joint powers agreements, new technology, or other resources.

-Update the CTAS (Office of the Auditor’s reporting software) to ensure it continues to be accessible and secure so local governments can keep track of their financials.

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

My father was a small business owner who taught me the value of numbers. As an accountant, I’ve worked across the table with families struggling to pay for housing and neighbors making impossible choices between medical care or going into debt. That is what motivated me to get involved. I live in Duluth with my wife, Emily, and this month we are celebrating our first wedding anniversary.