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.A recording of the candidate forum for this 2026 primary race is available here.
My top priorities are issues that require urgent attention. First, the county must respond to changes in federal requirements and funding, which directly affect the budget and how services are delivered. Second, we must also address the County Jail. The facility is in disrepair and does not meet the needs of residents, staff or inmates. This will require transparency, coordination and cooperation to achieve the needed updates to the facility responsibly. Third, we need clear communication and education around elections so residents can trust the process and outcomes.
Voting is a citizen’s voice, and every eligible voter should have equal access to cast a ballot. Safe and secure elections are not in conflict with access; this depends on clear rules, consistent procedures, and public trust. Minnesota already has checks in place to verify eligibility, prevent double voting and count ballots accurately. We should maintain those safeguards while improving communication so residents can understand the process and trust the results.
One of the biggest challenges in mental health and social services is that people often need more than one kind of support. The county should work to streamline casework across services such as housing, employment and mental health so residents get help more efficiently and the county uses resources wisely. I support continuing the practice of embedding a social worker with law enforcement to improve collaboration and better meet the needs of our communities.
Balancing cost and quality are key. The county needs to continually look for new ways to deliver services more efficiently while maintaining the level and quality of the services residents need. This includes streamlining processes, reducing duplication and coordinating across services when residents interact with multiple departments. We should also continue pursuing federal and state funding, so the cost burden of services does not fall primarily property taxes.
The county board’s role should be limited. Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility. The county board’s direction should be to cooperate with valid warrants and court orders and share required release information consistent with state and federal law. County resources should not be used to unlawfully detain people or expand civil immigration enforcement beyond the county’s authority. The focus should be public safety, due process and clear policy.
Helping constituents is my reason for serving. I will use multiple ways to stay accessible, including email, text and phone, and will respond promptly. I will attend community events to meet with residents and listen directly to understand their concerns. I will also use social media to share information about county activities, issues and decisions. Ongoing communication with constituents is at the core of representative government.
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