If you’ve read about my experience and who I am as a person, what motivates me won’t surprise you. They are values and ideals I’ve supported my whole life. They’re foundationally the same, but have evolved from my childhood and upbringing through my career as a hospice chaplain and seeing firsthand the ability and responsibility elected officials have to impact the lives of others and drive real change. These values are dignity, respect, justice, integrity and civility.

I will continue to bring these values to my role as your representative, collaborating with you and local and state officials to find solutions that improve the lives of all the citizens of District 53. 

Dignified healthcare

As a hospice chaplain helping people through end-of-life journeys every day, I am a key advocate for dignity for patients and their families as they navigate through the healthcare system. I learned that quality of care, transparent care decisions, and affordability are the critical components helping people maintain their dignity under difficult emotional conditions. I will fight for quality, affordable healthcare for all. 

Respect for workers

I’ve spent my career supporting people from all walks of life. I’ve been places most people will never go and seen things most will never see in order to advocate for people who have no voice. From my parents owning a small business to working in a corporate setting, I’ve learned that organizations work best when workers are respected by their employers. I will be an advocate for workers’ rights, fighting to end wage and wealth inequality in our state.  

Justice for all

As an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, a cornerstone of my ministry is justice. I started my hospice career during the AIDS crisis and advocated for help and resources for individuals who were ostracized and alone. I lobbied against hospice Medicare cuts that would have hurt veterans. I support common sense gun laws and protection of reproductive rights. Growing up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin instilled in me the importance of maintaining and protecting the environment. I will fight for justice for all, including women, the impoverished, immigrants, members of marginalized communities, and those facing the inequalities that exist in our society.  

Integrity in education

Integrity is the keystone of an effective government. As a minister, I am called on to be honest – sometimes brutally honest – with all those I come into contact. My sense of integrity was ingrained early in my schooling, that is why I am a strong supporter of public education. You can’t be married to a teacher and raising a future educator and not value and prioritize public education and early childhood interventions. But public schools must be allowed to educate students, not indoctrinate them. For our children to grow with integrity they must be exposed to an honest, evidence-based curriculum that teaches them to think independently, critically and creatively. I will fight for funding, evidence-based curriculum, training and recruitment so that we can maintain our quality education programs in our schools across the 53rd District. 

Civil democracy

I believe in the interconnectedness of our lives – what affects one of us affects all of us. It means we have a moral responsibility to one another and need to work together to find solutions and get things done. Everyone deserves to have a voice in helping us understand the issues so we can drive solutions that benefit all. Protecting our democratic institutions is necessary to the peaceful resolution of our differences. I will fight for fair elections, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, quality libraries, and all institutions which make our state and country great.