Your entire Hastings ballot,
in the candidates’ own words

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I’m running for re-election because I care deeply about student outcomes, responsible stewardship, and keeping our district strong long-term. I want to continue bringing data, accountability, transparency, and practical problem-solving to School Board decisions.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
I’ll continue focusing on academic achievement and long-term financial stability—using data to identify where students are succeeding, where gaps remain, and how we can direct resources toward areas that will have the greatest impact.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
The amazing opportunities available to Hastings students deserve more attention. Career Pathways, business partnerships, internships (coming soon!), College in the Schools, AP classes and PSEO give students multiple ways to explore careers and prepare for life after graduation.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I’m running for re-election because I want to continue putting student outcomes first. That means setting high expectations for academic achievement, monitoring measurable results, ensuring accountability, and making decisions that give every student the opportunity to achieve their personal best.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
Strengthening the board’s focus on measurable student outcomes. We have established a clear strategic direction, and the next step is ensuring we consistently monitor progress, evaluate results, and hold the district & ourselves accountable for improving student achievement.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
I think the range of opportunities available to our students deserves more attention. From rigorous courses to career education, our expanding Pathways program gives students more ways to discover their strengths, develop practical skills, and prepare for success after graduation.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I’m running to continue the good work I've done. From protecting reproductive freedom, to defending civil rights, to feeding kids in schools, I’m proud of my work to make Minnesota the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
I will defend the progress we've made, while continuing to ensure all Minnesotans feel safe, respected, and free to live their lives without fear. I will continue my work to ensure everyone has clean water in Hastings, and across Minnesota.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
Just how amazing the town is. I often hear, “I forgot how cute Hastings is” or “I didn’t realize there were so many good restaurants in Hastings.” I’ll continue to promote all the good things Hastings has to offer.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I am motivated by my kids. My eldest son has Down Syndrome, which inspires me to fight fraud in our social programs and ensure those funds reach those who need them.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
Clean water funding for Hastings and Cottage Grove is a top priority. Other priorities include banning flock cameras, banning NDAs in Data Center negotiations, supporting our schools, and holding fraudsters accountable.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
Hastings will need a new fire/police station in the near future. Unless that funding comes from the state, residents will again see their property taxes skyrocket.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I am running because our district deserves a representative who stands up for and fights for our district. That’s who I want to be.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
If our campaign wins, the very first thing I will work on is better funding for clean water.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
One thing about Hastings that gets too little attention is how incredible it is to raise a family here. We are so lucky for our community and too few of our political figures highlight that.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I believe that when you go to the voter booth you should have options. Win or lose, I have at the minimum shown people you don’t need to be “into” politics to make a difference in your community.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
I don’t have a first because situations change every day. What’s most important today can quickly change by tomorrow. But obviously we need to continue to address the water situation.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
If I were to say one thing I don’t think gets enough attention in our town is the Hastings Hawks baseball team. Miesville gets all the love, and we need to support our town ball club more.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I’m running because I genuinely love Hastings and the people who call it home. After four years on City Council, I want to continue serving our community, listening to residents, and helping make Hastings a place where everyone can thrive.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
My first priority would be continuing the work to provide Hastings with safe, clean drinking water while protecting residents from unnecessary costs. I’ll continue pursuing funding, responsible solutions, and transparency as we move these critical projects forward.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
I think the people who quietly make Hastings special get too little attention. From volunteers and small businesses to residents who show up for their neighbors, our community is built by people who care and give back every day.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
Now more than ever, as counties are seeing significant shifts and mandates from the State of Minnesota and federal government, we need experienced leadership that will lead us through these challenging times and prepare our communities for the future.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
In 2027, property taxes will be raised to cover the unfunded new programs and cost shifts from the state and federal government. This is unsustainable. Property tax reform and reducing unfunded mandates and programs will be my top priority.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
The Dakota County Board prioritizes staying non-partisan. Unlike in many other counties in Minnesota, the current commissioners do not seek a political endorsement and most do not endorse others in partisan races.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
Our Office has been experiencing an unprecedented number of early departures. Employees who feel valued and respected experience higher job satisfaction, improved mental health, and stronger motivation to perform at their best, which leads to lower turnover and higher productivity.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
I will address our retention and recruitment issues by changing our office's leadership approach and philosophy, including some changes in our administrative personnel. My administration will be led by highly competent, high-character, people-oriented leaders who've demonstrated strong communication and collaboration.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
Our current work environment. Most residents don't realize the daily stress and anxiety our employees experience in the office because they're afraid to speak up. Most still perform at a high level despite the lack of support, which is admirable.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
Dakota County is my home, and serving as Sheriff is personal. I’m running to continue providing proven, experienced leadership, strengthening public safety, supporting our outstanding staff, earning public trust, and preparing our communities for increasingly complex challenges.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
I will continue focusing on our most pressing public safety challenges: mental health crises, illegal drugs and overdoses, and domestic violence—while recruiting and retaining exceptional employees and strengthening partnerships that help us prevent problems before they become tragedies.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
The collaboration behind keeping Dakota County safe gets too little attention. Law enforcement, fire, social services, schools, nonprofits, and community partners work together every day. Those strong relationships are built over years and are one of our county’s greatest strengths.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
County attorneys should not focus on how many people they can imprison, but on how many people’s lives they can make better. We may not help everyone who’s lost their way, but no longer because we weren’t willing to try.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
Shifting the office’s focus toward those in power who do the greatest harm and away from those who are their victims. People who have all they need don’t commit crimes. Those who deprive them of that need to be accountable.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
Its people. Dakota County is in the top five counties in Minnesota for its volunteerism and charitable giving. When our neighbors are in need, we step up. The need has never been greater than today. Step up, Dakota County!

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
I'm running to help Minnesotans afford their lives. Too many do everything right and still fall behind. Public programs helped my single mom and me get by. I've spent my career delivering for families. Now I'll do it in Washington.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
Lowering costs for Minnesotans. That means taking on the corporations and special interests rigging the system, fighting for Medicare for All, cutting prescription drug prices, passing universal childcare, raising the minimum wage, and stopping Wall Street from buying up homes.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
How deeply we care for each other. Minnesota looks like America: immigrant communities driving our economy, 11 Tribal Nations, a proud civil rights legacy. It's rooted in fairness and looking out for our neighbors. We take care of our people.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?
To make the system more fair. I am the only one who will not bow down to the system and who is not compromised or beholden to the games parties play.

FIRST THING YOU WILL WORK ON
People feel that the system is not fair and that many are deceptively benefiting at our expense. We need affordable housing, limits on for profit prisons, and to address the daily cost of living.

GETS TOO LITTLE ATTENTION
We're too comfortable with the foolish cycle of manufactured drama and problems that all lead to the same outcome: the people get poorer and the system gets richer. It's time to sue for justice and send these crooks to prison.