In uncertain times, strong leadership matters. I began my public service as an inaugural AmeriCorps member and went on to serve as a PTA leader, Board of Education member, and two-term County Council leader. My nonprofit career reflects executive leadership—managing teams, overseeing budgets, and delivering results. I’m running to continue the progress made over the last 8 years with a platform that will tackle affordability, strengthen schools, and build an economy that works for everyone.

I will work everyday to improve transparency, accountability, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility in county government — ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, fairly, and in alignment with community priorities. That means enhancing constituent services, cutting red tape, eliminating waste, practicing responsible governance and increasing public engagement on how our tax funds are spent. We must also grow our economy to support future investments without burdening our current residents.

My top fiscal priorities are fully funding our education, investing in our workforce, and ensuring safe staffing for our trusted first responders. Given the state’s fiscal challenges, our county must be prepared to stand on its own. This is a difficult environment that requires disciplined budgeting and tough decisions. I bring proven leadership and management experience to protect essential services and our workforce while keeping our county financially strong.

I believe we need to create a local economy that works for everyone. I will work every day to support our local businesses and recruit new enterprises in leading industries to create family-supporting careers. We have the opportunity to expand workforce development and job training programs, working with our schools and unions, to create apprenticeship opportunities as part of our Blueprint initiatives so that our young adults are both college and career ready.

People are being priced out of our communities and the American Dream of homeownership is becoming out of reach for our young adults. Older adults have fewer affordable options to downsize and age in place. I will create housing opportunities that meet our needs: starter homes for first-time buyers, accessible options for older adults, and real transit-oriented development. All of this work requires utilizing smart growth principles, environmental protections, and meaningful community input.

I believe the greatest challenge ahead is tackling the affordability crisis facing so many of our residents. We have to do everything we can to ease the rising cost of living by expanding affordable housing options, lowering utility bills, increasing accessible childcare and eldercare, and ensuring our workers get paid a livable wage. With a stagnant economy, we need a leader that can build a coalition with our state and federal partners to bring home resources and get real results.

I am running because families are paying more and getting less, and I’m not willing to sit back and watch our county drift. I bring 40+ years in business and over 35 years as a volunteer firefighter and chief, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, securing grants, and leading teams in real emergencies. I’ll bring that same calm, hands-on, common-sense leadership to make county government work for everyday families.

I’ll run county government like a family budget: no waste, clear priorities, honest numbers. That means putting school safety, senior services, and public safety at the top of the list, reviewing departments regularly, cutting what doesn’t work, and posting simple and concise updates so every taxpayer can see where their money goes and how it protects their family.

My top priorities are protecting families from runaway tax bills, fully funding core services, and squeezing waste out of the system. I’ll hold the property tax rate down, fulfill my Promise to Seniors with targeted relief for seniors, veterans, and volunteers, and use savings and grant dollars to strengthen school safety, roads, and public safety so every family feels secure.

When local businesses thrive, families do better. I’ll cut business taxes to keep jobs here, go after corporations to relocate here, slash red tape so employers can open and hire faster. Work aggressively to go after state and federal grants. I’ll also expand job training and apprenticeship programs so our residents, including young people and seniors who want to keep working—can learn new skills, earn better wages, and support their families.

I will focus on helping regular families, not big insiders. While my opponents talk about affordability and deliver more red tape and sprawl, I’ll cut delays, encourage developers to turn vacant homes into livable homes, and build workforce housing so teachers, nurses, police, fire and young families can live near work—without raising your property taxes. While continuing the mission of safe, stable neighborhoods for seniors and children.

Our greatest challenge is keeping families safe and secure—protecting children in their schools, seniors on fixed incomes, and neighborhoods facing rising costs. I’ll launch a Safeguard Our Children School Safety Program and Promise to Seniors Initiative, with real tax relief and services, and treat every budget like a family budget: cut waste, lower pressure on taxes, and make sure people can afford to live and feel safe here.