How I lead
In a time when division can feel overwhelming, Plymouth deserves a mayor who leads with respect, listens before deciding, and brings people together rather than driving them apart.
"Democracy thrives when we engage peacefully, listen deeply, and work in good faith to resolve differences."
- Clark Gregor
Listening first
I believe good government starts with getting out of city hall and into the community. That's why I championed a listening sessions policy — and followed through, hosting sessions in every ward of Plymouth to hear directly from residents about what matters most to them. At council meetings, residents can speak during the public forum — but council members can't engage or respond in the moment. I created the listening sessions to change that dynamic: a genuine two-way conversation, out in the community, where residents and their council members can actually talk to each other.
The ideas that have come out of those sessions have shaped my work on housing, parks, sustainability, and more. Listening isn't a campaign promise — it's already part of how I govern.
Servant leadership
I learned early in life that the best leaders don't lead for themselves — they lead for others. As a youth leader in Scouting, I saw firsthand what it means to put the needs of your community ahead of your own ambitions. That lesson has stayed with me ever since.
I'm not running for mayor because I want a title. I'm running because I want to work for the people of Plymouth — our neighbors, our families, our businesses, and the residents who too often don't have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. That's what servant leadership means to me: showing up, listening, and always asking whether what I'm doing is making life better for the people I serve.
That's the kind of mayor I intend to be.
A commitment to civility
In November 2025, I worked with Council Member Peterson to lead the Plymouth City Council in issuing the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota — a formal commitment to the values that make civic life work: respect, dialogue, and democracy.
The pledge reflects a simple but important belief: that Plymouth residents deserve leaders who engage honestly, reject harmful rhetoric, and work in good faith to find common ground — even when they disagree.
What this means as mayor
As mayor, I will continue to lead the way I always have:
-
Hosting regular listening sessions to stay connected to what residents are experiencing across the city
-
Engaging with residents, businesses, and community organizations before major decisions are made — not after
-
Leading with honesty and respect, even when the issues are hard or the conversations are uncomfortable
-
Building a city hall that feels accessible to every Plymouth resident, not just those who already know how to navigate it