On The Issues
I don’t believe that the first job of government is to say no. Government can be a force for positive and creative change — to build, to educate, and to protect. I am running for Senate in order to improve public education, protect our civil liberties, and safeguard our environment.
Education
Supporting Public Education: A Commitment to Equity and Excellence
Everyone says they support education, but in the legislature, support means funding. I support fully funding public education in Minnesota.
Public education is the foundation of a strong democracy. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their zip code. To achieve this, we must fully fund public schools, ensuring they have the necessary resources to provide students with a complete education, wrap-around health and mental health services, and qualified educators.
Equity must be at the center of our education policies, just as it is at the center of our democracy. In Rochester we have worked hard to make our schools safe, inclusive environments where all students can learn without fear of discrimination, and where teachers are respected and protected in their profession. While there is more work to be done, our achievements so far have been important, and have made a positive difference in the lives of students and families. Uplifting student and teacher rights ensures a fair system that fosters success.
Public Education is a public good. We must, therefore, resist efforts to divert public resources to private and religious institutions through voucher programs. Public funds should remain within the public education system, strengthening schools that serve the overwhelming majority of Minnesota’s children. Every tax dollar allocated to education should go toward improving public schools for all students.
Additionally, protecting pensions for public employees is vital. Teachers and school staff dedicate their lives to educating future generations, and they deserve financial security in retirement. Furthermore, strong pension programs help attract and retain talented educators, ensuring students receive the best instruction possible.
Investing in public education is an investment in the future. By prioritizing funding, equity, and teacher support, we can continue to build a strong, fair, and effective education system for generations to come.
Civil
Liberties
Fighting for Civil Liberties: A Commitment to Justice and Freedom
Civil liberties are the foundation of a free and just society. Protecting our democracy requires unwavering dedication to individual rights, ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and fairness. This includes an absolute right to privacy, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, and a humane policy on immigration. We must fight against efforts that seek to undermine these freedoms and stand firm in defending the principles of democracy.
Why protect our privacy? Privacy rights are essential in a world of increasing surveillance and corporate data collection. Individuals must have control over their personal information, free from unwarranted intrusion. Safeguarding privacy protects freedom of speech, association, and expression—key elements of a functioning democracy.
This includes the continued protection of reproductive freedom, which is fundamental to personal autonomy. Every individual should have the right to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference. Access to contraception, abortion, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare must be protected to ensure equality and bodily autonomy.
In addition to privacy and autonomy, protecting civil liberties includes standing up for the rights of everyone in our community.
Protecting immigrants is a moral and legal obligation. Immigrants contribute to our communities, economy, and culture. Ensuring humane immigration laws, protecting asylum seekers, and stopping deportations that separate families are critical to upholding our nation’s values. There is a way to affirm our own American sovereignty without sacrificing our humanity, or indeed the very ideals that make us Americans.
LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. We must fight against discrimination, ensure equal protections, and support policies that affirm and uplift LGBTQ+ individuals in all aspects of life, including healthcare, employment, and education.
Defending civil liberties is about safeguarding our democracy and ensuring that every person can live freely, without fear or oppression. The fight for justice requires bold action and unwavering commitment.
Environment
Protecting Our Environment: A Call for Climate Action and Land Stewardship
The fight against climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our time. We must take decisive action to reduce carbon emissions, invest in renewable energy, and promote sustainable practices that protect our planet for future generations. Catastrophic climate change is no longer a vague future possibility, but a present challenge we must face. Bold climate policies are necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a livable future for all.
Clean and safe drinking water is a basic right. Surely, therefore, protecting groundwater is among our most basic responsibilities. Industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and irresponsible land use threaten this vital resource. What’s more, private wells in our region are already showing signs of contamination, meaning that the deeper public wells will not remain clean for long. Strong regulations and enforcement are needed to prevent contamination and ensure that all communities have access to clean water now and in the future.
Corporate farms must be held accountable for protecting the land they rely on. Large-scale agricultural operations often contribute to soil degradation, water pollution, and excessive resource consumption. It is critical to implement policies that require sustainable farming practices, responsible waste management, and conservation efforts to maintain healthy ecosystems.
By prioritizing climate action, groundwater protection, and corporate accountability, we can build a more sustainable and just future. The time for action is now.