Working families deserve the chance to get ahead, not just survive.

I know what it feels like to worry about how bills are going to get paid, how to rebuild after hardship, and how exhausting it can be to work hard while still struggling to stay afloat. Those experiences shaped the way I see policy and leadership today.

Across District 1B, families are being squeezed by rising costs for housing, groceries, childcare, utilities, healthcare, and property taxes while wages and resources fail to keep pace. People are working multiple jobs, picking up overtime, and still feeling like they can’t get ahead.

I believe we need practical solutions that help working families stay stable and build a future here in rural Minnesota. That includes supporting affordable housing development, protecting and investing in rural childcare providers, investing in workforce opportunities, and making sure everyday people are not carrying the burden while large systems and corporations continue to profit.

I also believe we need to raise the bar for how assistance programs support working people. Too often, families work hard, earn slightly more, and suddenly lose the supports that helped keep them stable. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly people can fall through the cracks while trying to do everything right. We should be creating pathways forward, not benefit cliffs that punish people for improving their situation. People should be able to work hard, grow, and still receive enough support to make ends meet while they get back on solid ground.