May Township 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 73

Community: Rural Motley

Employment: Retired

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I attended one year of college after high school. While in my career as a manager I have helped employees advance their careers. Most of the most relevant education was learned through mentors and workshops.

Why are you running?

I am running to be active in my township government.

Why should voters elect you?

I will help people with their needs. I volunteer for my church and the Staples Motley elementary school. I would give the same dedication to this position as my other volunteer work. I also have county experience working on the Cass County Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

I will be available for residents in May Township when township services are needed. I will be open for questions while looking at needs, cost and potentional options. I will help ensure our Township follows regulations and gives residents outlet to voice needs and concerns. I will help operate May Township while making good financial decisions. I will ensure compliance with ordinances and laws. I will ensure roads are safe and maintained for residents, public and school transportation.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Presidents Johnson and Kennedy. Their administrations implemented a program when I was growing up on a family farm. My parents had the opportunity to take Adult Farming Education classes. These courses helped improve their farming practices and lives. While money was given to families, it was given in a way to help improve their futures. These presidents looked out for families with needs.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.

Getting to better know residents and their thoughts for improving Township services. I will help run the township for the benefit of the residents.

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 63

Community: May Township

Employment: Minnesota School Boards Association - Government Relations/Lobbyist

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I was appointed to the May Township Board in December of 2024, after attending three years of meetings. Since then, I’ve immersed myself in our budgets, roads and community.
I have a B.A. in Journalism with a concentration in Business Administration. I believe solid writing skills are core to any communication, including informing residents. Business skills, like budgeting, are key to being a good steward of township resources.
Since 1999, I have owned and managed a family property management business. I have held a real estate license for 26 years. Managing budgets, contracts, leases and tenants directly translate to the decisions I make and contribute to at the board table.
I work for the Minnesota School Boards Association at the Minnesota Capitol. Advocating every day for education policy, finance and local government issues impacting school boards and townships - experience that makes me a stronger supervisor for my community.

Why are you running?

I want to be involved in my community and give back. Whether it has been through church, school or community volunteer opportunities, I have always found purpose in the work. I want to continue to be a good listener in our community and bring my experience to find solutions to issues that impact us. I want to continue to be transparent in how the Board operates and what the Board does within the Township while being a good steward of taxpayer money.

Why should voters elect you?

I'm invested in our community. I have been doing the job for two years. In that time I've worked hard to understand our budget and roads. I've brought new ideas on how to build and adhere to a budget and worked to create a comprehensive road inventory and review. My 26 years of working with budgets and contracts in my own business and 16 years working with state lawmakers on finance and local government issues make me a strong advocate for our township. I created a Facebook page to continue to build new ways to communicate with our community, so even if they don't attend meetings they have another way of knowing what's happening in the Township and in the community. I will always listen and act on ideas and concerns.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

As a township supervisor, I am jointly responsible for the general administration of the township, the road maintenance, financial oversight, and the township ordinances. My specific duties also include managing the clerk and treasurer and representing May Township on the Park Board along with Sylvan and Fairview Townships and the city of Pillager.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I admire Judy Randall, Minnesota's Legislative Auditor. Her office is non-partisan and examines the financial operations of state agencies and the performance of state funded programs. She talks about audits being improvement tools, not threatening and how transparency and good information build trust. Whenever her office does an audit or a study, they immerse themselves in the topic to find what is working well and areas that need improvement. I want to emulate that in our township - build on what is working well and improve where we can.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.

I will continue to work on the needs of the township. That means understanding and balancing the needs of an increasing population while maintaining the green fields and the rural way of life. Our roads are a high priority. I want to continue to identify where road improvements can be made and solid maintenance initiatives can be put in place. I want to continue to be transparent with spending by building a budget based on historical data and future needs.