My top three priorities are fiscal discipline, full representation of every corner of District 3, and managing growth responsibly. Property taxes are the county's main revenue lever, so spending must be scrutinized closely, as I did on the Sabin City Council with years of zero tax increases. District 3 stretches from rural townships through Barnesville, Comstock, and south Moorhead, and every community deserves a commissioner who shows up year-round. Finally, growth near Moorhead should be managed by getting full value from what the county already has before committing to costly new expansion.
Voters should never have to choose between secure and accessible elections — both matter. I support accurate voter rolls, transparent processes, and well-trained election officials, alongside making it easy and convenient for eligible voters to cast a ballot. Clay County's election administrators do this work well, and I'd support giving them the resources to keep it that way.
Much of what shows up as a public safety or emergency-response problem is really a mental health or addiction issue underneath. The biggest challenge is limited local capacity, especially in rural areas. I'd focus on strengthening partnerships with regional providers rather than duplicating services the county isn't built to run, while keeping any new spending tied to a clear, measurable benefit.
I'd apply the same discipline I brought to the Sabin City Council, where we delivered infrastructure improvements with zero tax increases for years. That means scrutinizing spending line by line, funding what the county is actually responsible for, and treating levy increases as a last resort rather than routine, so residents get reliable services without an ever-growing tax bill.
Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, not a county board function. The board's role is to focus on what counties actually control: roads, public safety, and county services, funded responsibly. I'd keep my focus there rather than take on enforcement matters outside the board's authority.
I plan to show up in person across every corner of District 3, not just around election time — at township meetings, local events, and by being easy to reach directly. My twenty years on the Sabin City Council and as a volunteer firefighter taught me that trust comes from being present and listening first, before deciding.
My priorities remain infrastructure, public safety and mental health, and fiscal responsibility.
I’ll continue working with local partners to maintain roads and bridges, plan for growth, and leverage grants to meet our county’s needs.
I’ll build on our work in public safety, corrections and behavioral health, advancing regional solutions for juvenile detention and care closer to home for children in crisis while addressing costly out-of-home placements.
I’ll continue scrutinizing budgets, finding efficiencies and strengthening internal controls while advocating against state cost shifts that burden local taxpayers without adequate funding. Responsible budgeting means protecting essential services while making every taxpayer dollar count.
Safe and secure elections require trained election officials, clear procedures and strong oversight. I support working closely with our election administrators to ensure they have the training, staffing and resources needed to administer elections accurately and securely. Responsible budgeting must support both election integrity and accessible voting, ensuring eligible voters can cast their ballots while public confidence in the process is maintained.
Clay County faces gaps across the continuum of mental health care, including crisis beds and treatment options, alongside rising LTSS, SNAP and Medicaid costs. Historic state cost shifts are unsustainable, placing significant pressure on property tax levies. I’ll keep advocating for regional crisis care, modernized IT systems that strengthen program integrity and reduce administrative burdens, fewer unnecessary mandates, and sustainable state funding that matches county responsibilities.
Through open budget meetings led by administration, we’ve worked with department heads to find efficiencies, balance needs and wants, and plan for growth. I’m proud of our collaborative approach to long-term planning and making taxpayer dollars count. Local cuts have limits. Historic cost shifts from the state legislature place unsustainable pressure on taxpayers. I’ll keep scrutinizing spending and advocating at the Capitol for state funding that reflects our responsibilities.
The county board’s role is to work with the sheriff to establish a budget that reflects the needs of our residents. The sheriff is the county’s chief law enforcement officer and works with other law enforcement agencies as appropriate. County commissioners are not law enforcement officers. Our responsibility is to provide oversight through budgeting, support public safety, and ensure county resources are used responsibly while respecting the distinct roles of each office.
I believe good leadership starts with listening and keeping people informed. I share county updates, data, and emerging issues through Facebook, local news, and Coffee with the Commissioner. I also make time to meet with residents, hear their concerns, and understand what matters to their families and communities. Those conversations help me bring local voices to the table, make informed decisions, and advocate for the needs of Clay County.
