As the executive director of the St. Louis River Alliance, my career focuses on 1) amplifying community voices, 2) stewarding our unique and beautiful natural resources, and 3) building sustainable economic resilience. Community engagement should be the top priority of all elected officials; it is the core of democracy. I will restore public comment periods and ban NDAs for elected officials. Protecting land and water is essential to all we do. The health and future of our communities depends on clean water and breathable air. Building a strong economy allows people to thrive in St. Louis County. This means protecting workers rights, defending Medicaid and county healthcare programs, and investing in childcare, housing, and education.
Voting gives our community a voice and protects our freedoms. When access declines, the rights of our seniors, disabled people, workers, and minority communities are endangered. Research has shown that increasing access for everyone is more important than combatting scant cases of fraud. Minnesota has passed great laws expanding early voting, absentee ballots, felon voting rights, and the right to be absent from work to vote. The county must advertise, advocate, and protect these rights.
Recently federal budget cuts have affected many county programs. Lack of affordable healthcare, childcare, and housing make communities even more vulnerable to loss of services. I will expand availability of crisis resources; ensure that safe and inclusive housing is available for all ages, incomes and identities; streamline application processes; and lower entry barriers for social services. We also need to address the high cost of living so people have a safety net when times get tough.
I have experience securing state and federal funds, and will work closely with the St. Louis County Administration Department to identify opportunities for efficiency. A current County goal I support is to modernize human services technology systems; outdated data systems cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. There are also statewide conversations about taxing billionaires their fair share and keeping utilities publicly owned–ensuring stable service quality and low costs.
By standing strong on Project Labor Agreements, the County has already made positive change for constituents by resisting federal pressure. We must take this same approach against federal attempts to invade our communities and terrorize our residents. We can deny ICE the ability to access county data or use county-owned spaces. We must also ensure that all members of our community feel welcome, regardless of immigration status. Diversity makes Duluth stronger and more vibrant.
Through community engagement and public transparency. I plan to hold regular listening sessions throughout my district, and always be welcoming to my constituents. True community engagement is not just about reaching out when you have a question; it’s about consistently being present and available. As commissioner of St. Louis County, I will work to bridge gaps between unmet needs and leaders that hold the power to make change.
My husband and I are raising our children here, and I want to continue serving this community. Folks simply want to enjoy where they live and spend time with people they love without fear of losing their homes. I want to be an accessible arm of government in tune with our neighbors. Having gotten real results in my first term for communities too often left behind, my priorities remain housing, property tax relief, our environment, and infrastructure. We need to expand housing options, protect clean water systems, and maintain roads. I also focus on strict budget stewardship and legislative transparency. That means keeping county business completely open, protecting public funds, and maintaining local control over our dollars.
Voting is a powerful right and family tradition. From riding with my mom to drive voters to the polls with the League of Women Voters, I grew up knowing voting is every American's duty. Access and security go hand-in-hand. Even as Washington politics threaten to rip our elections apart, I am committed to keeping our county elections transparent, secure, and run with integrity, while keeping voting simple and accessible so every neighbor can confidently make their voice heard.
The biggest challenges are access to care, drastic funding cuts, and programmatic shifts from state and federal levels that leave people lost. The county is meant to connect folks to these programs, but chasing constant shifts leaves people struggling against heavy bureaucracy. I will continue championing collaboration to transform our systems, like we did during my term when we brought groups together to change the response to homelessness in Duluth for the first time in 50 years.
Having served as finance chair on the county board, I know our county goes through a disciplined budgeting process. We work department by department, going line by line to keep things efficient and meet people's needs. I combine this strict accountability with fighting the unfunded mandates that erode local authority. Securing our fair share of state and federal funding keeps essential services public rather than privatized, protecting vital safety nets without overloading local taxpayers.
We must ensure all families, regardless of immigration status, feel safe and secure in our communities. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, not a local one. The role of the county board is to build a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone who calls St. Louis County home. Our local resources must focus on protecting public safety, expanding service access, and building deep trust between residents, law enforcement, public health, and essential county services.
I live and work closely across neighborhoods, sectors, and community groups. Beyond calls, meetings and emails, I am on the ground daily listening to community and neighbor voices at the grocery store, the playground, community gatherings, job sites, and local meetings. Serving on numerous local and regional boards keeps me tightly connected with neighborhood organizations, labor, businesses, and community members. I intentionally build relationships with everyone to bring all voices to
All Primary Efforts will be Directed Towards Improving Roadways for the Constituients of St. Louis County District 1 by Improving Maintenance Policies and Proceedures to Insure Safer, Smoother Transitioning in the District. This will Include Corresponding With and Participating in Conferences With City Officials and Professionally Connecting with the Seldom Acclaimed Street Maintenance Personel.
My Efforts will Also Include a Constant Vigilance to Provide For and Ensure ALL the Services Available to the Constituents from the County and the City Of Duluth are Bestowed Upon Them.
Tertiary, My Contact Information will Provide a Direct Link to the Constituents Of District 1 to Voice Their Concerns and have Them Addressed As Soon As Possible
All Registered Voters have the Inalienable Right to be Assured Their Vote will Count and NOT be Negated by the Votes of Non- Citizens.
Those Assurances MUST BE Preserved by Diligent Efforts to Validate ALL Voter's Citizenships.
Mental Health of ALL Citizens Reflects Directly on the Well Being of US ALL.
Ensuring Mental Health Care Facilities and Counselors are Provided with Support from Their Respective Communities, the General Public, and Governing Bodies (Which Includes Insurance Companies) Leads to Successful Addressing of Mental Health Issues.
It Is A GIVEN that ALL Positions in Government, Be Required to Include in Their Responsibilities to Their Constituencies the Continued Progress of Mental Health Pusuits.
All Constituents of a St. Louis County District have a Voice in Issues Regarding Their Services.
It is the DUTY and OBLIGATION of Commissioners to See To It that Funds be Held In Reserve and Appropriated According to Immediate Needs.
Being Mindful and Aware of the Possible Future Demands of Their District Provides the Basis for Pro-Active Reasoning When Enacting Efforts to Provide Services.
Support of National Immigration Policies is a Must for ALL Citizens.
Safer Communities, More Prosperous Businesses, and Improved Mental Health for US ALL will Result.
Should Violations of Immigration Policies Exist to Your Knowledge,
You, as a Citizen, are Obligated to Voice Them to the Proper Authorities.
My Personal Contact Information (Email - Phone#) WILL BE Made Availailable to ALL.
As a Public Servant, NO RESTRICTIONS will be in Place when Attempts to Correspond With Me or Contact Me are Deemed a Necessity by the Contituents of St. Louis County - District 1
