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Isanti County Commissioner District 5

County commissioners are the county s key policymakers. They oversee the administration of the county, set county budget, and participate in county long-range planning. County services that they oversee include a wide variety of social service and welfare programs, as well as certain public health programs. 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)

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  • Candidate picture

    Joseph Fischer
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Kristi L. LaRowe
    (NP)

Biographical Information

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (750 characters)

How would you balance safe and secure elections with voting access? (500 characters)

What do you see as the biggest challenges to mental health and social services in your county, and how would you address them? (500 characters)

What approach would you take to delivering county services while managing the cost of delivering those services? (500 characters)

What role, if any, do you think the county board plays in immigration enforcement? (500 characters)

How do you plan to interact with constituents to best understand the needs of the county? (500 characters)

Campaign Website http://JosephFischer.Vote
telephone 7633361134
Campaign Email Joe@JosephFischer.Vote
My top three priorities are housing accessibility, responsible property tax policy, and transparent government.

Isanti County's growth demands we expand housing options including ADUs and sensible zoning reform so working families, seniors, and young people can afford to stay in the communities they love.

On property taxes, residents deserve a board that scrutinizes every expenditure. Growth shouldn't automatically mean higher taxes.

Finally, open government matters. I'll push for structured transparency, including internship programs that bring fresh perspectives into county operations and give the next generation hands on experince.
Election integrity and voter access aren't in conflict they reinforce each other. With a background in IT and cybersecurity, I know secure systems require both strong safeguards and reliable access. I support modern auditing, clear chain-of-custody procedures, and regularly tested equipment. Every eligible voter should find it straightforward to cast a ballot. Accessible polling locations and consistent procedures achieve both goals.
Rural counties like Isanti face provider shortages, long wait times, and stigma that keeps residents from seeking help. Geographic barriers and limited transit compound the problem. I'd expand partnerships between county services, schools, and nonprofits. I will also put pressure on state government for the long overdue funding for mental health beds instead of our jail where they have no other place for care.
My background in systems administration taught me to maximize efficiency without sacrificing reliability. I'd apply that discipline to county government auditing service delivery, exploring shared services with neighboring counties, leveraging technology to reduce overhead, and setting clear performance benchmarks. Cost control starts with accountability; every department should justify its budget with measurable outcomes.
Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and county resources including the Sheriff's Office should remain focused on public safety for all residents. The board's role is to ensure any cooperation with federal agencies is governed by clear, publicly available policy and reviewed transparently. I'd avoid both political grandstanding and policies that erode community trust. All residents should free safe calling 911 regardless of immigration status.
I believe in showing up. I'd use digital tools to reach residents who can't attend in person, maintain an open-door policy, and build on community engagement that creates ongoing dialogue between the board and the community. My roots here run deep I plan to keep listening the same way I always have: in person, consistently, and without a filter.
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