Democratic-NPL
Candidate Questionnaire
What motivated you to run for the North Dakota Legislature? (100 words max)
For over a decade, I’ve helped others run for office, and now felt like the right time to enter the arena myself. Growing up, I was surrounded by conversations about politics and what it means to serve your community. “Politics” can get a pretty bad rap–often for good reason–but for me, it’s about finding solutions for local concerns.
District 21 has a long history of sending thoughtful people to Bismarck, and I hope to carry on that torch. I want to fight to fully fund our public schools, lower costs for working families, and improve access to quality health care.
What personal, professional, or community experiences have best prepared you to serve as a State Legislator? (100 words max)
I watch our legislature closely. In my role as Communications and Digital Director for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL, I put out a daily newsletter to keep readers abreast of important bills and hearings. Formerly, I worked in Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s Fargo office, helping businesses, farmers, and families navigate our complicated immigration system.
Lawmakers need to stay close to the ground and have a deep understanding of their community. I’m a lifelong resident of the Hawthorne Neighborhood, and I’ve knocked thousands of doors in other election cycles, listening to the ideas and concerns of North Dakotans.
If elected, what would be your top three priorities for the State of North Dakota, and why? (100 words max)
Education - As the daughter of a music and art teacher and the product of Fargo Public Schools, I’ll advocate to fully fund and support our public schools.
Housing - It is unconscionable that veteran homelessness is on the rise in North Dakota. Really addressing homelessness requires us to look beyond emergency shelter. We need more housing to drive costs down—It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to buy a home.
Health care and mental health care - These issues are deeply personal for me. Losing my husband, Erik, opened my eyes to how insufficient our approach to suicide prevention is.
Looking ahead five years, what do you see as the most significant opportunities and challenges facing North Dakota? (100 words max)
I’m concerned about the lasting impacts of tariffs on our state. Already, some of our small businesses have closed because they could not take the hit.
I’m also very worried about revenue shortfalls leading to cuts in essential programs in our state—especially programs that protect our most vulnerable. However, these challenges themselves can be a catalyst for opportunity. We need to find creative and innovative approaches to building our state budget.
Do you support the use of state funding for programs and initiatives aimed at attracting, developing, and retaining talent throughout North Dakota? Please explain. (100 words max)
Yes! I’ve seen too many of my friends seek employment outside North Dakota. I think apprenticeship grants and scholarships are a good start. Workers are looking for affordable housing, access to childcare, and safe, vibrant communities—let’s invest in that.
Do you support the use of state funding for economic development, such as incentives, tax credits, and other programs to support business retention, attraction and expansion? Please explain. (100 words max)
I do. I also think we need to be cautious as we approach potential budget shortfalls. These incentives must be laser-focused on helping North Dakotans.
In 2023, F-M Metro COG conducted a study of the metro area’s housing market that identified the need for 16,400 housing units across the region by 2033. What policies or tools can the Legislature use to support the development of attainable, market-rate housing in Cass County and across North Dakota? (100 words max)
Last session, the Legislature was prepared to pass $25M for housing grants, but the House and Senate couldn’t agree on the final bill. That was a missed opportunity. We need to fund flexible grants for local governments so they can increase the supply of housing.
We also need to look at where we can safely and responsibly cut red tape and reform housing code so we can keep up with the demand for homes in our community.
Access to quality childcare continues to be a major concern for families and employers across the state. If elected, how would you work to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare in North Dakota? Please explain. (100 words max)
Another missed opportunity from last session was Sen. Hogan’s bill to create a child care workforce recruitment and retention program. The median wage for a child care worker in North Dakota was $14.61 in 2024, and that’s simply not sustainable.
DHHS is also reducing childcare subsidies at a time when families absolutely cannot afford it. We cannot balance our budget on the backs of hardworking moms and dads.
Do you support the development of the Red River Valley Water Supply Project? Please explain. (100 words max)
Yes, I think drought mitigation projects like this are important. We can’t live without clean water. I’m proud of the fact that North Dakota feeds the world—both my parents grew up in farming families in Steele County—the impact of an extreme drought here would reach far beyond our region.
Do you support the development of a Natural Gas Pipeline to Eastern North Dakota? Please explain. (100 words max)
Yes, energy costs are lower in North Dakota than elsewhere, but they’re still going up. Natural gas is a precious resource that we shouldn’t waste.