My Priorities

Strengthening public safety

I will always stand behind our law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders because public safety is the foundation of every strong community. They deserve leadership that provides the staffing, training, and resources needed to do their jobs safely and effectively. While APD has made important progress filling critical positions, there is still work to do to improve response times across the city. But public safety is about more than staffing numbers—it also requires visible policing and mutual respect between first responders and the communities they serve. Which is why I support policies that promote accountability, community engagement, and proactive problem-solving so public safety is not only reactive, but preventive as well.

As an Assembly member, I will continue to advocate for smart investments in public safety that protect families, restore confidence in public spaces, and ensure Anchorage remains a place where people feel secure raising their families and running their businesses.

Public Safety

Reducing the cost of living to stop outmigration

Property taxes are rising faster than many families’ incomes, and too many homeowners are being priced out of the communities they worked hard to live in. I will push for meaningful property tax relief by limiting sudden spikes and improving fairness in the assessment process. At the same time, I will support responsible housing development to keep Eagle River and Chugiak affordable and competitive with nearby communities. I will work with local builders to reduce construction costs and delays so we can expand housing supply and give families more affordable options. Investing in infrastructure that supports new neighborhoods and encouraging a mix of housing types—from starter homes to rentals—will help stabilize prices and keep people from being deterred from staying here.

I grew up in Eagle River and chose to build my life here because I love this community and wanted to raise my kids here. I want this to be a place where families can put down roots, build a future, and stay close to the people and places they love.

Lowering Costs

Tackling the homelessness crisis

Homelessness is a complex issue that requires a balanced and holistic approach. By continuing to improve public safety, Anchorage can restore community confidence, boost tourism, and strengthen local businesses by ensuring our town is vibrant again. Ultimately, the goal should be fewer people living in encampments and more people connected to housing, behavioral health care, and employment services. There is no easy solution, and we cannot lose sight of compassion. Simply arresting people or pushing them from one area to another is not a long-term answer. We need to keep parks, schools, and public spaces safe while helping people move off the streets and toward stability. That means stronger coordination between city services and nonprofits, expanded shelter and treatment options, and practical pathways to work and housing. This won’t be a quick fix, but with steady effort and the right focus, we can make real progress.

Homelessness

Maintaining Our Infrastructure

Planning for the Long-Term

The Municipality’s Maintenance and Operation Department (M&O) had the third highest operating budget of any department in 2025 at $118 Million dollars and accounted for almost 20% of the total operating budget. This is up almost 30% in the last 5 years and is now close behind APD ($146M) and AFD ($123M), and far greater than the next closest department, Public Transportation ($33M). Of this 118 million dollars, 49 million (over 40%) is paid for by service bonds and accounts for 68% of thel 2025 service bonds. 

At my position with the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, I work closely with our M&O department and have a first hand look into what issues they are facing state-wide. It is not just snow plowing, sanding, and street sweeping, there is infrastructure across the state that was put in during the oil boom that is now 50-years old and is failing due to age and deterioration. This aging infrastructure needs to be replaced before it fails for several reasons:

  • Public Safety - failing infrastructure poses a significant risk to public safety. No one wants to drive into a sinkhole in the middle of the road that was caused by a culvert that we knew was in poor condition 5-years ago. 

  • Cost to Taxpayers - addressing failing infrastructure before it fails saves the municipality, and its tax payers a significant amount of money compared to the alternative. It is always more expensive to pay for things during an emergency than it is when there is planning and foresight involved.

  • Long Term Planning - The majority of the existing infrastructure (particularly drainage) is outdated and does not take into account new standards or 50 years of new data. Replacing infrastructure after it fails usually results in replacing “in-kind”. In-kind replacement often leads to the need for another future replacement as our streets and drainage systems are updated based on current standards or community needs/desires.

If elected to the assembly, I will continue to support maintaining and updating our infrastructure

Protecting Local Taxpayers

Taxing Our Tourists

Property taxes on Anchorage homeowners have risen year after year, above and beyond the tax cap by the increased frequency of projects funded by bonds and increases in MUSA/MESA fees (these are forms of property tax that are not included in the tax cap calculation). While these revenue sources are essential to making sure things around the city get done, these are putting more pressure on local families and small businesses. This issue is made murkier by the current confusion around the home assessment process for 2026. 

One way to ease this growing burden is to generate more city revenue from the seasonal visitors who use our roads, parks, and public safety services each summer. I want to see the municipality generate more of the city's income from the seasonal tourists that come to our city every summer. This could be in the form of a seasonal sales tax, or other taxes that are geared towards our seasonal visitors.

Parks & Recreation

Safe, Accessible Spaces for Everyone

Our parks, trails, and recreational areas are the heart of life everywhere in the municipality.. I’m focused on keeping these spaces safe, well-maintained, and accessible for families, hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. From playground upgrades to improved trails and sports fields, smart investments in local parks help keep the spaces we all enjoy accessible and connected.

 Local Control

Shared Responsibility, Shared Success

I have heard people voicing their concerns about how Eagle River has a minority voice and would like more representation in our local schools and on bodies like the school board. I think that these are valid concerns as Eagle River is its own separate community and does have different, but similar values to other areas in the Municipality. I am open to exploring options in how to make that a reality. 

However, I am often asked if I support the local separation movement "EagleExit" and I am steadfast in my opinion that I do not support Eagle River breaking off from Anchorage. The benefits do not outweigh the negatives in a movement like this because it would weaken our ability to provide the services families depend on every day without increasing taxes to homeowners and businesses.