About Me
I was taught the value of hard work at a young age. As the youngest of four children raised in a middle class family in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, not only did I help out around the house, I also contributed to our family business, The House of Decorating. By age twelve, I started my own paper route, and at sixteen I was bussing tables at Old Country Buffet. I paid my rent through college with my wages as a server.
I first moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in education. I came to love everything about this state: from the bustling cultural and arts venues and delicious restaurants, to the vast array of parks and public lands. I had found my home.
Thankfully, my high school sweetheart and future husband, Dan, felt the same. We bought our first (and current!) home in Coon Rapids over twenty years ago and couldn’t imagine a better place to be.
Dan is a pharmacy program manager who greatly appreciates the value Minnesotans place on healthcare. Our two daughters, Hannah and Hailey, attend Blaine High School where they benefit from the high quality of education in Minnesota. We love it here, and are dedicated to our community.
Why I am running
The presidential election of 2016 changed my life. As a woman and science teacher dedicated to education, helping others, and environmentalism, I was demoralized by the direction of the new President.
In such a divisive political arena, I wanted to bring compassion back. I wanted to center us back on a collective humanity. To me, the role of a public servant is to better the lives of all of their constituents, and to truly care about the people they serve. What I saw from too many leaders in power was a focus on self-promotion and money.
I had a heart-to-heart with my husband and I will never forget what he said to me. “If you want to make a bigger difference, first you need to grow your circle of influence.” I knew it was time to take a leadership role so I ran for Coon Rapids City Council. Now, I want to grow my circle of influence once again and fight for you at the Capitol for the future of our community.
During my 20-year teaching career, I’ve worked with thousands of families. My current position with Education Minnesota requires vision and problem-solving. These qualities will help me as a State Senator. I am honest, truly care about people, and enjoy learning from and working with others. I believe it takes all of us at every level of government to further our democracy and that is why I am running for Minnesota State Senate.
Let’s work together to build a better community!
Accomplishments
- Coon Rapids City Council
- Council Member, November 2020-present
- Funded Coon Rapids Police Department
- Began construction on a new Fire Station
- Connected Solar Energy for Coon Rapids
- DFL Senate District 37
- Fundraising Chair, 2018-2020
- Communications Chair, 2017-2019
- Education Minnesota
- Field Staff, March 2020 – present
- Biology Teacher
- Jackson Middle School, Aug 2019-Mar 2020
- St. Francis Middle School, Aug 2012-Jul 2019
- University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
- Master of Education | 2001
- Bachelor of Science in Biology | 1998
