THE ISSUES
EDUCATION
House District 49A includes parts of Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Hopkins, some of the highest performing districts in the state. We are fortunate to have strong public schools in our backyard, and protecting that tradition of excellence matters to me.
But I also know that too often in Minnesota a child’s zip code determines their opportunity. Relying heavily on local property tax referendums has left some districts struggling while others thrive. We can do better. Equalizing funding across the state while keeping strong districts strong is a goal worth pursuing. Education does not begin in Kindergarten. Universal pre-K funded at the state level would lower costs for working families and give every child a real shot at starting school ready to learn.
Schools are only as strong as the educators that support them. Teachers, paraprofessionals, and school based mental health professionals deserve support and respect.
Every student also deserves dignity and belonging. That is why I opposed legislation restricting transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity. Targeting kids does not strengthen our schools.
HEALTHCARE
Over 400,000 Minnesotans do not have health insurance, and for those that do, the premiums are often unaffordable and deductibles creep higher, year after year. In Minnesota, we have the power to alter the system to allow more people access to affordable health insurance and quality care. No one should go to sleep at night wondering if they should go into urgent care or wait for an appointment, go in for a routine doctor’s visit or wonder how they will pay for a lifesaving surgery. If elected, I will work with other legislators to open MinnesotaCare to all Minnesotans, regardless of income status, expanding the options available for affordable health insurance.
In our state there are major disparities in health outcomes for folks living in rural areas. A woman in greater Minnesota driving an hour for prenatal care is not acceptable. The healthcare system we build must work for all Minnesotans, no matter their zip code. As we modernize healthcare, we need guardrails. Artificial intelligence tools should not be making coverage decisions without strong oversight. Care decisions belong between patients and providers.
I am unapologetically pro-choice. I grew up watching my mother, the first female physician in Red Wing, serve patients at Planned Parenthood. I learned early why women must have autonomy over their healthcare decisions. I will continue to fight against any initiative that seeks to restrict these basic freedoms.
ECONOMY & LABOR
If you work hard in Minnesota, you should be able to afford the basics and build something more. That is the standard I measure economic policy against. Wages matter. A livable minimum wage and strong worker protections give families stability. Unions have helped build the middle class in this country, and organized labor has raised standards for generations of Minnesota workers. Protecting the right to organize and collectively bargain is not just about fairness in the workplace, it is about ensuring workers have a real voice in the economy.
Affordability unlocks opportunity. When families can cover healthcare, childcare, housing, and groceries, they save, invest, and pour back into their local communities. That is how state and local economies grow. Economic growth also requires accountability. Corporations should not shift costs onto Minnesota families. Large scale data centers and energy intensive facilities should pay their own way. Predatory credit card interest rates deserve scrutiny, and I am exploring ways to rein in excessive rates that trap families in debt.
A fair tax system is central to affordability. Working and middle-class families should not shoulder the burden while large corporations avoid responsibility.
EQUAL RIGHTS
I want to live in a state where every individual, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status, is afforded equal rights and opportunities. I continue to work to foster an inclusive society where diversity is celebrated. I support the Equal Rights Amendment and will work to get it on the ballot so Minnesotans can come together in the next election and ratify it as the next amendment to our state constitution.
A vibrant society that embraces difference and diversity starts with embracing a culture of inclusion, from the way we treat our neighbors, to the laws we pass. If re-elected elected, I will continue to support efforts to ensure equality of access to high-quality education, regardless of your background. We’ll work to equip educators with anti-bias training and inclusive curricula that reflect the diversity of our society. Together, we will address income and wealth disparities by advocating for fair wages and policies that support economic mobility. We’ll fight for policies that ensure equal access to affordable housing and support community development initiatives that foster safe and vibrant neighborhoods.
I will advocate for reforms that address systemic biases in the criminal justice system by working for restorative justice practices and alternatives to incarceration that focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. We should end cash bail for non-violent offenses and implement anti-bias training for law enforcement officers so we can end the disparity communities of color see in the form of arrests and abuse. Equal rights are fundamental to the dignity and prosperity of our society. That includes defending due process rights, limiting harmful federal overreach, and ensuring state and local policies do not enable unjust ICE actions that undermine trust and safety. By working together, we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to live free from discrimination and reach their full potential. Let us stand united in the pursuit of dignity, justice, and equality for all.
ENVIRONMENT
Minnesota’s wild places have shaped my life and my family. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one I hold most dear. I spent a decade as Campaign Manager for the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, working to stop toxic sulfide-ore copper mining from polluting its lakes and rivers. To elevate that fight, I trained for two years and ran 110 miles across some of the most rugged terrain in the Midwest, completing the Boundary Waters Traverse in 38 hours to show what was at stake.
This work has never been about one place alone. From Lake Superior to the Mississippi River, from Lake Minnetonka to the parks, marshes, and streams in the Three Rivers and Purgatory Creek watersheds, our natural resources sustain our health, economy, and identity.
In the House, I have advanced permanent watershed protections for the Boundary Waters and defended Minnesota’s sulfate standards that protect wild rice. As federal safeguards face pressure, Minnesota must continue leading on strong clean water standards. Environmental protection is also environmental justice. Pollution disproportionately harms low-income communities and communities of color. Strengthening environmental permitting, requiring meaningful Tribal consultation, and fully accounting for health and economic impacts are essential.
Accelerating our transition to one hundred percent clean, carbon-free energy and expanding efficiency incentives for homes and businesses will lower long-term costs, improve public health, and protect future generations. Stewardship is part of how we build a healthier, more resilient Minnesota.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. Public safety depends on trust, accountability, and prevention, and it is a priority we all share. Strong communities require strong relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve. Officers should have the training and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively, and every interaction should reinforce fairness and professionalism. When trust is present, both residents and law enforcement are safer.
At the same time, our justice system must remain equitable and focused on reducing repeat harm. Accountability matters, but penalties should be proportionate and centered on rehabilitation where appropriate. Public safety is not only about responding to crime. It is about lowering the likelihood that harm occurs in the first place. Gun violence prevention is part of that responsibility. Common sense measures such as safe storage requirements and red flag laws can reduce preventable tragedies while respecting responsible ownership.
Prevention is as important as response. Expanding access to mental health care, stable housing, and economic opportunity reduces crises before they begin and strengthens the foundation of safer neighborhoods.