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Vision and Issues
I believe government works best when it’s grounded in community, guided by values, and focused on making everyday life better for people.
My vision for Minnesota is simple: systems should work for people, not the other way around. As a state senator, I will bring the same approach I’ve used as a school board chair and community advocate: listen carefully, act thoughtfully, and stay accountable to the people I serve.
Below are the issues that guide my work and my priorities.
Education
Public education is at the heart of strong communities, a strong workforce, and a strong democracy. I am a product of public education, the parent of public school students, a special education paraprofessional, and a school board leader. Education isn’t just an issue I care about; it’s the work I do every day.
As Chair of the Hopkins School Board, I’ve worked alongside students, families, educators, and lawmakers to:
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Advocate for free school meals, which are now mandated by state law
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Advance equity and inclusion through student-led policy
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Support mental health and wellness in our schools
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Navigate the complex challenges facing special education
At the state level, I will continue to advocate for fully funded public education, protect special education services, and ensure that decisions are informed by the realities facing students and educators in classrooms today.
I believe public education carries a shared responsibility for the well-being of young people. When social tensions threaten that sense of community or undermine our shared values, it is our duty to respond in ways that protect students and strengthen trust.
Affordable Housing
Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to live, including the people who teach our children, care for our communities, and keep essential services running.
I grew up in affordable housing, and today I work alongside educators and school staff who cannot afford to live in the communities they serve. I’m also navigating the housing market myself. I understand how housing costs affect families, schools, and local economies, because I see it firsthand.
As a state senator, I will support policies that expand affordable housing options and help ensure that working people can live in the communities they call home.
Healthcare and Mental Health
Healthcare should be accessible, understandable, and centered on people, not paperwork or profit.
I’ve spent years navigating complex healthcare and support systems, including making public health decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. As both a parent of a child with special needs and the guardian and conservator for my mother, I know how difficult it can be to access care, understand coverage, and advocate for services, especially for families already under stress.
Mental health is also a critical part of community wellbeing. I’ve supported mental health initiatives in schools and will continue to advocate for accessible mental health care across the lifespan.
I believe we must continue working toward a healthcare system that is easier to navigate and more equitable for everyone.
Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
I believe every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and welcome in their community.
As a school board leader, I’ve worked alongside students to develop gender inclusion and racial equity policies, and to ensure that district practices reflect our shared values. I’ve been clear and consistent: protecting the rights and dignity of all people is not optional.
At the state level, I will continue to:
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Work toward policies that protect LGBTQ+ communities
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Defend civil and human rights
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Support inclusive policies that reflect the lived experiences of our neighbors
This work is not abstract. It’s about real people, real families, and real communities.
Public Safety
Safety means different things to different people, but at its core, it means being able to live, learn, and work without fear.
I support common-sense approaches to public safety that focus on prevention, accountability, and community wellbeing. That includes addressing gun violence through responsible policy, investing in mental health supports, and ensuring that safety measures reflect what actually keeps people safe.
Our goal should always be to build communities where people feel protected, not targeted.
My Committment
Across all of these issues, my commitment is the same: I will listen, I will show up, and I will work for the people of Senate District 49.
I’ve spent my career in spaces where policy meets real life. I’ve seen what happens when systems are designed to exclude or exhaust people, and I know we can do better.
Things should work for people. And I’m running to make sure they do.