Let's discuss the issues
Investing in Communities for a Resilient Future
The economy is volatile, and there are warnings of recession or stagflation. The cost of living continues to rise. The sudden mass layoff of over 600 miners in our neighboring district is unjust. It reminds us that we need to lift our community members up during trying times and highlights the need for establishing economic resilience in rural Minnesota. In these volatile times, we must prioritize investing in our communities.
Creating Jobs in Senate District 6: Job creation is essential for economic resilience. I will advocate for funding infrastructure projects, affordable energy production, small business development, and workforce training, each of which is elaborated on below. These initiatives will provide immediate employment and lay the foundation for long-term growth.
Building Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure projects can rejuvenate communities. Highway improvements, pedestrian-friendly pathways, water treatment upgrades and public spaces are all investments that enhance quality of life while generating jobs and boosting economic potential.
Stabilizing Energy Costs with Supplementary Green Solutions: Energy price volatility impacts everyone, and we need to make efforts to stabilize costs. By supplementing current energy production with renewable sources like solar, wind, bioenergy, or hydropower, we can mitigate price swings while creating reliable, long-term solutions and promote long-term sustainable job development. These measures are not about replacing existing energy sources but complementing them to ensure affordability and consistency.
Supporting Small Businesses: Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. Relief measures like grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives can help entrepreneurs thrive. Likewise, subsidized wages for new hires will boost productivity while easing financial strain on small businesses. For instance, these types of programs could be especially useful in the support of existing and the creation of new childcare centers across rural Minnesota.
Adapting Workforce Training to Community Needs: As workforce demands evolve, so must our training programs. I will support grants for individuals to retrain in high-demand fields such as skilled trades, sustainable energy, healthcare, IT, agriculture, and infrastructure. These programs can be tailored to community needs or developed in partnership with educational institutions. For example, in the event of a mass layoff, the impacted individuals should be immediately eligible for re-training grants. That is how we soften the blow of devastation.
Strengthening Safety Nets: Navigating job loss is challenging enough—accessing benefits shouldn’t add to the burden. I will work to expand and streamline unemployment benefits, food assistance programs, healthcare, and affordable housing. These safety nets must be accessible and efficient to truly support those in need.
Improving Healthcare for All
Access to quality, affordable healthcare is essential for the well-being of Senate District 6 residents. As your representative, I will fight to expand access, reduce costs, and ensure preventive and mental health care are priorities for our communities.
Expanding Accessibility to Quality Care: I will work to expand telehealth services which will enable individuals across the district to connect with specialists and primary care providers. This will improve access to timely care and reduce costs associated with travel. I will advocate for rural healthcare incentives, such as expanded student loan forgiveness, to attract healthcare providers to underserved areas. Another priority would be collaborating with educational institutions to promote healthcare careers tailored to rural needs.
Improving Mental Health Resources: Mental health services are severely lacking in Senate District 6. I will pursue establishing grants and low-interest loans for community mental health centers, enhance funding for school-based mental health programs, and support therapy, counseling, and crisis intervention initiatives.
Reducing costs: Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. Long-term systemic change, but there are some short-term solutions in for the meantime. I will help expand prescription assistance programs, increase MinnesotaCare access for serious illnesses, and implement a sliding-scale subsidy system tied to income to make healthcare more affordable.
Increase Preventative Care: As a biomedical scientist, I cannot underscore this enough: Prevention will always be more cost-effective than a cure. I will work to develop mobile clinic programs offering screenings, vaccinations, and health education to our most remote Minnesotans and pursue programs that provide low-cost or no-cost wellness exams for the uninsured.
Maintaining and Improving Accessibility to Healthcare for Veterans: Federal cuts to Veterans Affairs have made it clear that we must take action at the state level to ensure veterans receive the healthcare they deserve. I will push for state funding to strengthen VA hospitals, mental health programs, and transportation services, ensuring veterans have access to the care they deserve, including expanded telehealth options.
A Stronger Education for Rural Minnesotans
Education is the cornerstone of opportunity, and rural communities deserve equitable access to resources and programs that empower students and educators alike. I am committed to addressing disparities and strengthening education for all.
Address Funding Inequities: Rural schools, particularly in lower-income communities, face significant budget limitations compared to urban or affluent areas. This disparity affects resources, course availability, extracurricular programs, and teacher salaries. I will advocate for increased and equitable state funding to ensure rural schools receive resources comparable to urban schools. Likewise, I will review and update legislation to provide equitable access to intervention services for students in need.
Strengthen Early Childhood Education: I am a mom to three young boys, and I have seen the impact of a quality early childhood education program. Early childhood education helps children with cognitive development and gain socioemotional skills. I will aim to expand access to programs like Head Start and Pre-kindergarten, and support grants and low-interest loans to update infrastructure and grow early childhood centers.
Improve Broadband Access: High-speed internet—whether through fiber-optic, DSL, satellite, or cellular—is a critical tool for education and daily life. Yet, in parts of Senate District 6, access remains limited or unreliable. I will hold providers accountable for delays in broadband installation under the Equal Access to Broadband Act and I will expand programs to ensure rural and low-income households can afford reliable internet. Every student and family deserve the opportunity to be connected.
Address the Teacher Shortage: Rural districts in Senate District 6 face a teacher shortage, the training of educators is in decline, and the departure of educators within their first 3-5 years of teaching is rising. I will work to develop programs that complement loan forgiveness programs with grants and scholarships for educators while they pursue their education, review and improve the certification processes, and expand Minnesota's "grow-your-own" initiative to encourage local students to return home as educators.
Education Beyond K-12: Workforce training is essential for adapting to new opportunities in a changing economy or community. Returning to vocational schools, colleges, or universities is challenging in our district. I will advocate for expanded access to online programs in high-demand fields and expand the North Star Promise scholarship program to include retraining opportunities for new career paths.
Economics and Environment: A balanced approach
The economy of Minnesota Senate District 6 relies heavily on mining, forestry, and tourism. To ensure long-term prosperity, we must balance economic advancement with environmental preservation while embracing innovation and community resilience.
"We all do better when we all do better" - Senator Paul Wellstone
The economy of Minnesota Senate District 6 relies heavily on mining, forestry, and tourism. We need to ensure that we continue in our efforts to balance economic advancement with environmental preservation.
Sustainable Economic Growth: Diversifying local economies in rural Minnesota will create resilient communities that are resistant to economic turmoil. We do this by reducing reliance on single industries and creating new opportunities for workers and their families. I support the development of programs that will help laborers access workforce training, transition careers, and expand skill sets.
Responsible Mining Practices and Scientific Innovation: Minnesota has the potential to be a worldwide leader in responsible mining practices. And in order to achieve sustainable energy goals, we must mine. When performed responsibly and with proper oversight, we can ensure that we protect our forests, lakes, and rivers from pollution while making progress toward a future that embraces renewable energy.
Supporting Land Reclamation Efforts: Mining shouldn't mean permanent scars on the landscape. I fully support programs to restore mined areas into productive uses, such as recreational spaces, wildlife habitats, or sustainable agriculture. The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area exemplifies successful reclamation, transforming former mines into clear lakes for kayaking, scuba diving, and thriving wildlife habitats. Extensive mountain biking trails now attract visitors nationwide, revitalizing the local economy and sparking new businesses.
On a personal note, earning my advanced open water SCUBA certification in the former Crosby-Ironton mines gave me firsthand appreciation for these unique landscapes and their clarity—even at 90 feet underwater! The transformation in Crosby shows how industrial scars can become community and environmental assets. I am committed to finding creative ways to ensure Minnesota’s landscapes remain vibrant and productive for future generations.
Protecting Our Forests and Communities: Our forestry industry excels at ensuring that timber harvesting is conducted sustainably while protecting our forests, wildlife habitats, and water quality. I will advocate for maintaining Minnesota's strong environmental oversight to ensure continued sustainable forestry practices.
Preserving Our Lakes: Our lakes are the lifeblood of Minnesota Senate District 6 and draw visitors with their unparalleled natural beauty while providing countless recreational opportunities. Protecting these pristine resources is vital to ensuring that tourism flourishes and the lakes remain a source of pride for residents. I will support the expansion of initiatives like Lawns to Legumes to include riparian-focused programs that incentivize lakefront property owners to preserve native lakeshores. Protecting these pristine resources ensures tourism flourishes and communities thrive.
Living by a lake has taught me the importance of balancing enjoyment with conservation. As a Crow Wing County Master Gardener, I’ve worked to preserve and expand our native riparian shoreline, which protects water quality, prevents erosion, and supports biodiversity. In our efforts we have discovered vibrant native plants, like pink lady slippers, blue flag iris, jewelweed, and milkweed; all of which wouldn’t thrive in a lawn landscape. These efforts reflect my commitment to safeguarding Minnesota’s natural beauty for future generations.
Protect Children from Trafficking
The recent scandal involving former State Senator Justin Eichorn has revealed a truth that cannot be ignored: child sex trafficking and exploitation is happening in Minnesota, and rural Minnesota is no exception. As your Senator, I am committed to taking urgent action to prevent trafficking and exploitation in Minnesota Senate District 6.
"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future." - President John F. Kennedy.
Expand Funding to Police Departments: In the fight against child sex trafficking, police officers are among our greatest heroes. I support providing resources to equip precincts with advanced technology to monitor online activity and track traffickers. I also support initiatives to include social workers in police departments to offer comprehensive victim support and counseling.
Prevention Starts with Education: The Shared Hope International Report Card, which gives a grade for child and youth sex trafficking, highlights a serious deficit: prevention and training. I will advocate for increase funding for schools to incorporate age-appropriate curricula that teach students to recognize exploitation, navigate online spaces safely, and seek help. I support the train teachers to identify and respond to signs of trafficking effectively.
Strengthening Community Awareness: I support expanding funding for local shelters like Saving Grace, Freedom Ranch, Relationship Safety Alliance, and Bridges of Hope in Brainerd and the Grace House of Itasca County in Grand Rapids to provide safe spaces, counseling, and recovery resources for survivors and those at risk of being victims. Likewise, I support community initiatives that educate neighbors about risks and prevention strategies.
Online Accountability: Tennessee has championed the cause for prevention of child exploitation with the passage of the Revising Existing Procedures on Reporting via Technology Act (REPORT Act). This act mandates stricter reporting requirements for online platforms regarding child exploitation and requires them to report cases to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and keep related data for up to a year.
I will advocate for legislation similar to the REPORT Act and I will seek out ways to enhance cooperation between tech companies and law enforcement to investigate trafficking cases.
Improving Victim Protections: I will pursue strengthening and expanding the Safe Harbor Law to focus on preventing trafficking activities while continuing to safeguard and support survivors.
Building Trust at the Capitol
For some, trust in our legislators has been broken. As your representative, I am committed to restoring that trust through listening, transparency, and meaningful action.
Prioritize Listening: Trust begins with listening. It’s not my job to assume what’s best—it’s my job to hear you. I will host town halls, coffee chats, and community forums across Senate District 6, from Grand Rapids to Jenkins, Brainerd to Crosby, and everywhere in between. My goal is to meet you where you are, listen to your concerns, and ensure your voice shapes the future of our district and state.
Ensure Transparency: As a scientist, I’ve learned how to simplify complex biological processes into straightforward stories. I will bring that same clarity to my role as Senator! I will simplify complex policies into understandable terms and openly share goals, actions, and decision-making processes to build trust every step of the way.
Being Present: Visibility matters. I volunteer regularly in the Pequot Lakes community, and I look forward to being actively involved in all the communities of Senate District 6. I will Actively participate in local events, initiatives, and volunteer opportunities to stay engaged with all our communities in Senate District 6.
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Collaborate and Compromise: In science, achieving impactful results requires collaboration, even with those we may not always agree with. The same holds true in legislation. I will work constructively with all legislators, regardless of party affiliation, to tackle challenges and deliver meaningful results for the district.
Committing to Serious Governance: The legislative process is a tool to serve the people, not a platform for gamesmanship or mockery. I will treat every decision and proposal with the seriousness it deserves, avoiding theatrics and focusing on efficiency, respect, and accountability.