The county s key policymakers who ensure that citizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and county operations run smoothly. County Commissioners oversee the administration of the county, set the county budget, and participate in county long-range planning. Services that they oversee include a wide variety of social service and welfare programs as well as certain public health programs and capital improvements. Learn more about the day in the life of a county commissioner in this video from the Association of Minnesota Counties. (https://www.mncounties.org/meetings_and_education/day_in_the_life_of_a_minnesota_county_commissioner.php)
website
https://coachamin-forcommissioner.com/
If elected as Stearns County Commissioner, my top priorities will be:
1. Affordable Housing: Ensure safe, stable, and affordable housing so families can live with dignity.
2. Youth Development & Safety: Strengthen programs that provide mentorship, safe spaces, and recreational opportunities, helping youth thrive.
3. Public Safety & Community Well-being: Build trust and compassion through mental health services, crisis response teams, and community-based solutions while ensuring accountability and dignity.
These priorities reflect my commitment to a safe, inclusive, and thriving Stearns County.
We should protect freedom to vote by supporting policies like early voting and mail-in ballots that people count on. At the same time, we ensure security through robust audits and constantly updating our safeguards. It’s about making sure every vote is counted correctly and every eligible voter can easily participate. Our elections should be both accessible and something we all can trust.
The biggest challenges in mental health and social services are limited access, staffing shortages, and gaps in crisis response. I would work to expand community-based services, strengthen partnerships with local nonprofits, increase funding for mental health programs, and improve crisis response teams. My goal is to ensure timely, compassionate support so all residents can access the care they need when they need it.
Contact Phone
320 492 5619
Affordability (in many areas), Safety/Security, and Healthcare are three major issues at this time.
Many residents are facing homelessness, can't afford to buy and are renting, or are house poor.
Though crime in some areas is down, personal safety and concern for families is paramount as we face polarization in politics, mental health issues at endemic proportions, and daily concern about violence.
In Stearns county more than 15,000 folks face losing SNAP benefits, and 250,000 across the state could lose Medicaid coverage.
With these issues top of mind, we need to scutinize completely, every area of county responsibility and focus on cost benefit, community engagement, and creatively planning of alternative safety nets.
Minnesota has some of the most secure elections in the nation. We need to continue to monitor voter registration and reviewing data bases so state information matches the information voters provide on election day. Absentee ballots remain sealed until polls close. Random auditing along with rigorous canvassing of votes need to be assured and reviewed routinely. The State, Counties, and Cities have to take this responsibility seriously and not ever accept irregular or inappropriate activities.
Stearns county has a robust Human Services and Public Health Department. Our nurses and ancillarly personnel need to be fully staffed so as to be able to assess, triage, and refer all moderate to severe mental health patients to the best professional service providers. 24 hr. hot lines need to be active and distinquish between the need for law enforcement vs. social service. The process of civil committment needs to be expedited to reduce potential harm to the person in crisis or others.
