Agriculture is the backbone of this district, but right now farmers are being asked to absorb risks they didn’t create.

Falling commodity prices, rising fertilizer and fuel costs, and instability in export markets are putting real pressure on family farms. These are not abstract problems. They’re the result of policy decisions, both federal and state, that aren’t aligned with the realities of rural economies.

Here’s what I will push for:

• Advocating for stable and diversified export markets so farmers are not dependent on a single buyer like China

• Supporting state-level programs that help offset input cost volatility, including fertilizer and fuel cost pressures when markets spike

• Expanding access to value-added agriculture and local processing so more of the economic value stays in Minnesota

• Strengthening rural financing and credit access, especially for small and mid-sized operations facing tight margins

• Protecting farmland from consolidation pressures by ensuring independent producers can compete

We cannot control every global factor, but we can make sure Minnesota policy is working with our farmers, not against them.

People in this district are doing everything right and still feeling squeezed.

The role of government should not be to make that harder.

My focus will be on policies that directly affect everyday costs:

• Reducing energy and fuel cost volatility by supporting diversified energy strategies that are reliable and cost-effective for rural communities

• Reviewing and reforming state-level fees and regulations that add cost to small businesses and consumers without clear benefit

• Supporting local supply chains and in-state production, which can reduce dependence on volatile global markets

• Expanding access to workforce housing so communities can grow without driving up costs for existing residents

This isn’t about promises. It’s about identifying what is driving costs and addressing it directly.

Rural healthcare is at a breaking point in many parts of Minnesota.

Facilities are operating on thin margins, workforce shortages are growing, and policy decisions often fail to reflect the realities of rural providers.

I will prioritize:

• Stabilizing funding for rural hospitals and clinics, including targeted support for facilities serving low-density populations

• Expanding incentives for healthcare professionals to practice in rural areas, including loan forgiveness and residency pathways

• Supporting telehealth infrastructure while ensuring it complements—not replaces—in-person care

• Reducing administrative burdens on providers so more resources go toward patient care

• Strengthening rural EMS systems through stable funding, workforce support for EMTs and paramedics, and incentives to sustain volunteer services in small communities

Losing a hospital or clinic doesn’t just affect healthcare. It affects whether a community can survive and grow.

Our schools are central to the future of our communities, and they’re being stretched.

As a teacher, I’ve seen how policy decisions play out in real classrooms.

I will work to:

• Ensure stable and predictable funding for school districts, especially smaller rural schools with limited tax bases

• Expand career and technical education (CTE) programs, connecting students directly to local workforce opportunities

• Strengthen partnerships between schools, local businesses, and community colleges

• Address teacher recruitment and retention challenges, particularly in rural areas

We need to prepare students for real opportunities and make it possible for them to stay and build a life here if they choose.

People in this district are right to expect that their tax dollars are used effectively and that programs actually deliver results.

Accountability is not about cutting for the sake of cutting. It’s about making sure government works.

I will focus on:

• Regular review of state programs to identify what is working and what is not, with a commitment to redirect funding where it has the greatest impact

• Greater transparency in how funds are allocated and spent, especially for large-scale programs

• Ensuring rural communities receive a fair share of state investment, particularly in infrastructure and economic development

• Eliminating duplicative or inefficient programs that do not deliver measurable outcomes

If something works, we should support it. If it doesn’t, we should fix it or end it.

Representation should not be distant or transactional.

I will commit to:

• Holding regular town halls across the district and not just in election years

• Maintaining an open, responsive constituent services operation

• Actively engaging with local governments, schools, farmers, and business owners on a regular basis

• Providing clear, consistent communication about what I am doing and why

This district deserves a representative who is present, engaged, and accountable.