MY PLATFORM

Comprehensive Public Safety:

As a frontline firefighter, I’ve seen what happens when our public safety systems are stretched too thin. Moorhead currently has 0.7 operations firefighters per thousand residents. Fargo has 1.04. If we were staffed at Fargo’s level, we’d have 46 line firefighters. We have only 34. Even with six more joining by the end of 2026, we’re still short of regional and industry standards for staffing. We have recognized the need for a third fire station for more than twenty years. When resources are scarce, the danger increases — for firefighters and for the people we serve. That’s why comprehensive public safety is one of my top priorities. 

But what is the comprehensive part?

I believe Safety isn’t just about response times, staffing, and stations; it’s about whether a community has the FOUNDATION it needs to THRIVE. And, every day on the job, I see the cracks in that foundation.

A large share of our calls involve low‑income families and seniors. And, with more than 60% of our neighbors living paycheck to paycheck, too many people are one unexpected bill away from crisis. People are falling through the cracks. I’ve seen it firsthand. 

Comprehensive Public Safety is a holistic approach. It considers what people need as a means of reducing stress on the EMS system, reducing crime, and fostering a more stable community. This involves meeting people’s basic needs, such as employment at a living wage, access to affordable healthcare, stable, affordable housing, and quality educational opportunities. Societies that address these issues most effectively are among the safest and happiest in the world. We can do better to move the needle in that direction. 

Labor and working class issues:

As a union leader, I’ve seen the significant impact of union participation. That is why strengthening labor unions and fighting for the working class is central to my campaign. Strong unions don’t just improve wages and benefits — they improve health outcomes, educational investment, and community stability. When working people have power, the whole community is safer and healthier. That’s why I support measures like HF 0107, which provides unemployment insurance for striking workers, and HF 2591, which creates a fifth income tax bracket to better support working families. 

Healthcare:

Healthcare is another area where Minnesota MUST lead. With the Federal cuts to the ACA subsidies, we CANNOT leave people behind. Expanding MinnesotaCare is a concrete step toward guaranteeing healthcare for every resident — something I believe is both necessary and possible.

Housing:

Every day on the job as a firefighter, I see how hard it’s become for folks to find a place they can afford. Too many people are unhoused. Too many seniors are living in homes that no longer meet their needs, leading to preventable injuries and hospitalizations. But, they can’t afford to move. 

Building more affordable/subsidized, and accessible single‑level housing would allow seniors to continue living independently and safely. This would also benefit the overall housing market by increasing inventory for families seeking to purchase homes. 
Programs like MN Housing already have a plan to expand access; we just need to fund it properly and ensure our region gets its fair share.

I also advocate banning large corporations from buying up inventories of single-family homes. When corporations purchase homes at premium prices, it drives up housing costs and reduces the supply of available homes for families. People need to come first, not the corporation’s profits.