Home municipality
Madison
Home ZIP code
53711
Ask the question: How did this deficit come to exist? Then answer the question. Take that answer and apply it to the solution. Every responsible individual does the same. Every family follows the same line of reason. Every business worthy of the name applies the same logic, leading to a bottom line. The county is made up of individuals, families and corporate entities. The county cannot escape economic reality. If it tries or relies on the cruel expedient of increased taxes and fees, the county will sink deeper and struggling Dane County residents will go down with it.
Two issues arise: First, government local or otherwise, does not belong in the real estate business. Second, affordable housing is not a function of tax payer subsidy. It is a function of jobs. People who have jobs find the housing they can afford. Governments that want that to happen keep taxes to a minimum to attract both businesses and the people who work them. Further, the first responsibility of any government is toward the people within its jurisdiction, not the people who might show up. No projection of population or altruistic catch phrases meet the needs of Dane County here and now.
As I walked door to door to gain the signatures necessary to be placed on the April 7, 2026 ballot in Dane County District 7, I learned from the people who opened those doors. Walking throughout the District as a non-partisan candidate, I'll learn a lot more. I will carry that knowledge with me into office. Everyone in District 7 deserves to be represented by a person who knows the difference between personal preference and public good. I want voters to be just as glad to see me after they elect me to office as I hoped they would be when I first knocked on their door.
I have worked my entire life. Hard work with shovel and hammer, ladders and gloves. I've worn out a lot of work boots. I've also carried expensive briefcases into halls of power and come out knowing how money works. Not the kind you earn punching a time clock. The other kind. I know both. I worked in a homeless mission in Dallas and I learned courage from men and women who've lost everything and still keep trying. Sometimes it was their fault. Sometimes not. I have degrees in Religion and Theology and I have volunteered to help the helpless and those with disabilities. They are among the bravest people I have ever met. I love to write and I love words. Here are ten I cherish: "Of the people, by the people and for the people."
Home municipality
Madison
Home ZIP code
53711
Preferred pronouns
She/Her(s)
Know Your Candidates Interview
The county should preserve core functions that residents rely on, particularly mental health, housing, public health, and human services. These services reduce downstream costs in emergency response, incarceration, and crisis care. Evidence shows that prevention and early intervention are more cost-effective than crisis-driven systems. Cuts should be equitable and not fall on the backs of the most vulnerable. I support using data to identify efficiencies across departments; cost evaluation of county-owned assets; leveraging public-private partnerships; and advocating for shared revenue reform.
The county should prioritize mixed-income development near employment, transit, and support services; and investment in community land trusts. Equally important is the preservation and rehabilitation of existing affordable housing, which is more cost-effective than replacement. County investment in preservation must include energy-efficiency improvements, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lowers utility costs. Addressing homelessness requires a Housing First approach, by investing in stable housing, rental assistance, and eviction prevention, alongside accessible supportive services.
The rising cost of living, housing affordability, the health and wellbeing of Dane County residents, and preservation of our natural resources. My approach to addressing these priorities centers on values of equity, inclusion, and sustainability. I support a progressive regional housing strategy focused on long-term affordability; culturally responsive services, accessible mental healthcare, and inclusive community spaces as upstream public safety investments; preservation of our lakes and waterways through thoughtful land-use planning; and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
For nearly 15 years, I have worked in public service with prosecutors, law enforcement, social service providers, and other policy makers to help victims of crime navigate the criminal justice system and access vital services. Engaging in this work allowed me to see firsthand the profound impact government a can have on people's lives and learn from the lived experience of others. It instilled in me a strong sense of duty and responsibility to the well-being of my community. Within my current role on the Dane County Board, I serve on the Health and Human Needs Committee, Commission on Sensitive Crimes, and Zoo Commission. This experience allows me to understand the breadth of services and obligations across county government and systems.
