I am running to bring a pragmatic, people-centered approach to Anoka County government. County government plays a critical role in delivery of services that residents rely on every day. As demands grow and resources remain limited, we need leaders who can balance responsible budgeting with effective service delivery. My goal is to help ensure county government remains responsive, accountable, and prepared to meet the needs of both today’s residents and future generations.

With more than 25 years of experience serving my community as an elected official and volunteer, I have worked to improve communications between local government and residents. With my background in technology and internal audit I have skills to evaluate programs, and ensure public resources are used effectively. I believe that successful government depends on transparency, accountability, and collaboration. I will bring this approach to the County Board to solve problems and deliver results.

Voters are interested to learn what county government does and how county decisions affect their daily lives. The issues I hear most often involve public safety and fraud. Residents want safe communities, efficient services, and confidence that government is spending money wisely. The County Board must make thoughtful decisions that balance public safety, fiscal responsibility, and investments in services that help residents thrive while ensuring government remains effective and sustainable.

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.